050424 - Los Angeles Weekend Edition

West Philippine Sea not key concern for investors in US

by IRIS GONZALES

board of global management consulting firm Bain & Co., said.

LOS ANGELES – A Filipino American community leader and labor rights advocates from the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) were among the thousands of people who joined rallies and marches on Wednesday, May 1 to celebrate International Workers Day, also known as May Day, continuing a tradition dating back to the 19th century.

“Happy International Workers Day! Proud to march with my labor family on May Day,” said Jessica Caloza in her Instagram post.

Emerging as the leading candidate in the March 5 primary election for the state’s Assembly District 52, Caloza is poised to make history as the first Filipina to serve in the California Assembly.

Caloza has been endorsed by the largest

“I would consider it sort of a second order, one of the factors to consider but it’s not a top-of-mind,” Maceda told visiting Filipino journalists at a recent meeting organized by Global Ties San Francisco as part of the United States’ Friends, Partners, Allies program.

The more pressing issues investors look at are ease of doing business, the presence of an investment ecosystem, the strength of the market, the quality of the supply chain and the available talent, said Maceda, son of the late Senate president Ernesto Maceda.

In the case of the Philippines, he said the country remains attractive to U.S. companies because it is one of the fastest growing economies in the region in terms of  PAGE A2

THE Philippines will face a greater risk of cyberattacks from foreign groups, especially in the coming elections, a threat assessment presentation said.

"Cyberattacks are anticipated in the midterm 2025 and 2028 national elections" and could disrupt the peaceful and orderly conduct of the polls, the presentation showed during the National Security Cluster Communications of the "Bagong Pilipinas" Media Engagement and Workshop held at the Philippine Merchant Marine Academy (PMMA) in San Narciso, Zambales, on Thursday, May 2.

The threat assessment also warned that the "misuse of artificial intelligence (AI) could become a destructive tool in (the) cognitive domain (and) have a divisive effect in the

MANILA — President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. on Wednesday, May 1 mobilized the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) to forge alliances and prepare for the 2025 elections while continuing to push for national unity as Filipinos have been reaping its benefits almost two years into his term.

In his speech during the oath-taking of new members of the PFP, which he chairs, Marcos emphasized that alliances were not meant to “dominate the entire political scenery,” but to bring Filipinos together for the country’s peace and progress.

public and social order during (the) PHL election period."

Without directly identifying the source of the cyberthreats, the threat assessment noted that the challenge to the country's "cybersecurity defense domain" will come from "foreign adversaries."

These cyberattacks are considered "hybrid warfare" and will target information and communications technology networks of the national government and private entities, it said.

The threat assessment comes on the heels of recent cyberattacks on several government websites, believed to be mounted by Chinese hackers.

In February, the Department of Information  PAGE A4

“The reason why we have been trying to put together was that during the last elections, we fought for unity … and that’s what the people seemed to have been looking for,” the President said in his speech at the Diamond Hotel in Manila.

“Now, if you look at it, we have not yet been in office for two years … but in the short time, we have done a lot,” he added.

Filipinos continue to thirst for unity and “they don’t want bickering anymore because nothing happens when it’s all politicking,” according to Marcos. He also cited the value of inclusive governance

AS nearly 45 million Americans and counting owe over $1.7 trillion in student debt, what’s the future of college affordability?

Though the Biden administration has made historic strides in passing student loan forgiveness initiatives, ongoing lawsuits by Republican-majority states and a possible change of White House leadership this election year threatens their survival.

Meanwhile, the lifting of pandemic-era freezes to federal student loan payment forces borrowers nationwide to choose once again between greater debt or affording basic needs — underscoring the importance of forgiveness programs.

At an Ethnic Media Services briefing, student loan experts and a borrower who got over $100,000 in student loans forgiven explained what forgiveness programs have been launched and expanded under the Biden administration, which have been cut,

SENATORS on Thursday, May 2 said the yearly Balikatan joint military exercises between the Philippines and the United States should be reviewed to make them more responsive to the need to deter China's persistent aggression in the West Philippine Sea.

Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, chairman of the Committee on National Defense and Security, noted that Balikatan, organized by the Armed Forces of the Philippines and the U.S. Armed Forces, is not designed for combat operations against other nations.

"Responding to or utilizing it to impede China's coercive actions against Philippine vessels is outside the scope of these joint

military drills," he said.

"We can only speculate on the motives of China in resorting to illegal and irresponsible behavior. While some of this year's Balikatan exercises occur in disputed areas, the purpose of the drills is not to challenge other nations' actions directly," the lawmaker added.

Estrada reiterated the Philippines' unwavering commitment to upholding international law and promoting regional peace. He emphasized that the country will continue to engage in lawful activities within its territorial jurisdiction, including in Bajo de Masinloc, which is a vital source of livelihood for Filipinos and falls within the Philippines' exclusive economic zone (EEZ).

Sen. Francis Tolentino echoed Estrada's statement that the exercises' purpose is not

MANILA — The International Criminal Court (ICC) is expected to issue arrest warrants against former President Rodrigo Duterte by mid-year, and for his daughter Vice President Sara Duterte and other personalities in subsequent “batches” in connection with the war on drugs, according to former senator Antonio Trillanes IV.

Trillanes told “Storycon” on One News that he has been in touch with ICC representatives since its preliminary examination, during the conduct of the investigation, and up to the junking of Duterte’s appeal.

“The warrant will be released

late second quarter, so we can say middle of the year, maybe June or July, that will actually happen. So it is a waiting game at this point,” Trillanes said.

“Based on the information gathered, this warrant of arrest would come in batches. The first batch is only (for) one, only Duterte, the father. The second (batch) is for the (other) principal actors, as far as I know,” Trillanes added.

Apart from Duterte and his daughter, among the other personalities reportedly investigated by the ICC in connection with the brutal crackdown on the drug menace

West Philippine Sea not key...

real economic growth and private consumption.

Maceda said the U.S. is already the number one export destination of Philippine products and among the Philippines’ top three sources of foreign direct investments. There is also a historical cultural affinity with the Philippines given Filipinos’ English proficiency which helps attract U.S. investors to the country.

Frank Levin, former undersecretary for International Trade at the U.S. Department of Commerce and former U.S. ambassador to Singapore, also said the West Philippine Sea issue is not something that would lead to an economic shock for the Philip-

pines. “It’s not a convulsion for the nation, or it doesn’t collapse the stock market, or (it’s not like) people are fleeing. It’s bullying so it is a test. But I don’t think there’s a direct economic cost to the test,” Levin told Filipino journalists at a separate meeting. At the same time, he said, it’s not healthy to have such tension persist especially as it might escalate.

Jose Avelino Flores, co-founder of Silicon Valley-based Plug and Play Tech Center, for his part, said the Philippines needs to market itself versus other countries if it wants to attract more investors..

“I think for the last 10 years what was missing in the Philippines was a unique selling prop-

osition,” Flores said. Having a “unique story,” Flores said, would encourage investors, particularly venture capitalists to look at Philippine startups.

JR Calanoc, CEO of Dynamico Space and who helps connect Filipino entrepreneurs with Silicon Valley’s resources, meanwhile said it’s good that the Philippines-US relations are now on hyperdrive so that investors would realize the potential of Philippine startups.

“This hyperdrive that is happening is amazing,” he said, citing its likely effect of bringing global attention to Philippine startups and other companies including graphic and web design platforms being developed in the Philippines. 

‘ICC arrest for Duterte, VP Sara...

are his “tokhang” enforcer Sen. Ronald de la Rosa and former aide

Sen. Bong Go.

Trillanes stressed that he was not just a “marites” or rumormonger but he has been in touch with the ICC since 2017.

“So that’s how we established that relationship with ICC, but there’s a restriction on the release of information that can also be disclosed. The other information that I am releasing is not necessarily from the ICC itself but from people privy to what’s going on,” he added.

Earlier, Trillanes said the ICC investigated more than 50 active and former police officers who served under the Duterte administration for their role in the bloody war on drugs waged by Duterte.

‘Marcos and Duterte split not due to ICC’

The former senator expressed that President Marcos, who was firm against cooperating with the

ICC, “will say what he needs to say but will do what he needs to do at a proper time.” He did not elaborate. “Let’s wait for the warrant of arrest to be out,” he said. He noted that the complex relationship between Marcos and the younger Duterte was not due to the ICC investigation against her father but the Duterte camp’s effort to oust the incumbent president. Under the rule of succession, when Marcos is ousted, the vice president will replace him.

“I believe that is not the reason why they split up, because the split happened way earlier, during the latter part of 2022. The Duterte camp is already maneuvering… they are already strategizing, it’s part of the many reasons but that is not the only reason,” he added. When asked whether Marcos will decide to rejoin ICC, Trillanes said: “I will not go that far to say I know what is in his heart. But I can speculate that that was one of his considerations in light of the

fallout with the Dutertes. Probably when he started that’s (rejoining ICC) totally out of the picture but because of recent events he became open to it.”

“I don’t think it is necessary for him to rejoin, he just needs to enforce the warrants. The issue on whether to rejoin could be decided later on,” he added.

Trillanes said last year that the ICC could have served as leverage by the administration to keep the new emerging Duterte as opposition in the Marcos administration, “but now lines have been crossed, because what the Dutertes are doing is to oust President Marcos and it would be a grave mistake to trust the Duterte in any deal, the way they seem to behave.”

“Besides the fact, Sara Duterte remains the VP, so anything that happens to President Marcos, they (the Dutertes) are beneficiaries directly of the ouster. Why would they give in to Duterte?” he asked. 

PAUNAWA SA PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Ang Independent Citizen's Advisory and Oversight Committee (ICAOC) ay magsasagawa nang personal na pampublikong pagdinig sa Hunyo 5, 2024, sa ala-una nang hapon. Ang mga miyembro ng publiko ay maaaring lumahok nang personal sa One Gateway Plaza, Los Angeles, CA 90012 o maaaring makinig sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag sa: (202) 735-3323 at ilagay ang Access Code: 5647249# (English) o 7292892# (Español).

Ang ICAOC ay hinirang sa ilalim ng Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Reform and Accountability Act of 1998, na inaprubahan ng mga botante noong Nobyembre 1998. Ang pagdinig ay ginaganap alinsunod sa mga kinakailangan ng pederal na pampublikong pagdinig na nakabalangkas sa Seksyon 9 (e) (3) (H ) ng Surface Transportation Assistance Act of 1982, ayon sa pagkakaamyenda, at mga alituntunin sa pampublikong pagdinig na pinagtibay ng Lupon ng mga Direktor ng LACMTA noong 1993, ayon sa pagkakaamyenda.

Ang layunin ng pagdinig na ito ay upang tumanggap ng mga pampublikong komento sa resulta ng independiyenteng audit na isinagawa sa pananagutan ng mga kita at paggasta sa buwis sa pagbebenta sa ilalim ng mga ordinansa ng Proposisyon A at Proposisyon C mula Hulyo 1, 2022hanggang Hunyo 30, 2023.

BACKGROUND Ang Proposisyon A at Proposisyon C ay mga ordinansang inaprubahan ng botante na nagbibigay ng kalahating porsyentong buwis sa pagbebenta sa County ng Los Angeles, ang mga nalikom nito ay gagamitin para sa mga layuning pantransportasyon gaya ng tinukoy sa dalawang ordinansa. Inaprubahan ng mga botante ng Los Angeles County ang Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) Reform and Accountability Act of 1998 (ang Act) noong Nobyembre ng 1998. Ang layunin ng Batas ay upang magbigay ng pananagutan sa paggasta ng mga kita sa buwis sa pagbebenta ng Proposisyon A at Proposisyon C sa pamamagitan ng taunang independiyenteng mga audit ng mga paggasta sa buwis sa pagbebenta ng transportasyon, ang paglikha ng isang Independent Citizen's Advisory and Oversight Committee, at mga pampublikong pagdinig sa mga independiyenteng ulat ng audit. Hinihingi ng Batas ang taunang independiyenteng audit ng Proposisyon A at C sa Mga Kita at Paggasta sa Mga Buwis sa Pagbebenta. Ang Independent Citizen's Advisory Oversight Committee ay nagbibigay ng buod na ito ng independent audit para sa fiscal year na magtatapos sa Hunyo 30, 2023, alinsunod sa Batas. ESPESYAL NA AUDIT SA MGA PONDO NG KINITA

Ang Ulat ng Independent Auditor ay nagbibigay ng mga iskedyul ng mga kita at paggasta para sa Mga Proposisyon A at C para sa taon ng pananalapi na nagtatapos sa Hunyo 30, 2023, na nagpapakita ng mga halaga ng mga kita sa buwis sa pagbebenta ng transportasyon na natanggap at ginastos ng LACMTA. Ang mga iskedyul ng Proposisyon A at C na ito ay inihanda ng LACMTA at in-audit ng independiyenteng accounting firm na BCA Watson Rice, LLP (BCA). Isinagawa ng BCA ang pagaudit ng mga iskedyul ng pananalapi ng Proposisyon A at C alinsunod sa karaniwang tinatanggap na mga auditing standard sa United States of America. Ang Opinyon ng Auditor sa Presentasyon ng Iskedyul sa Pananalapi Ang Ulat ng Independent Auditor ay nagbibigay ng opinyon na para sa taon ng pananalapi na nagtatapos sa Hunyo 30, 2023, ang mga iskedyul ng mga kita at paggasta ng LACMTA para sa Proposisyon A at C ay nagpapakita ng patas, sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, na mga kita at paggasta ng kita sa buwis sa pagbebenta ng Proposisyon A at C. Ulat ng Auditor sa Mga Internal Control sa Pag-uulat sa Pinansyal Ang ulat sa mga internal control sa pag-uulat sa pananalapi ay nagsasaad na bilang bahagi ng audit, isinasaalang-alang ng BCA ang internal control ng LACMTA sa pag-uulat sa pananalapi upang matukoy ang mga pamamaraan ng pag-audit na naaangkop sa mga pangyayari para sa layunin ng pagpapahayag ng kanilang opinyon sa mga financial statement, ngunit hindi para sa layunin ng pagpapahayag ng opinyon sa pagiging epektibo ng internal control ng LACMTA. Walang tinukoy ang BCA ng anumang mga kakulangan sa internal control sa pag-uulat sa pananalapi na itinuturing ng BCA na mga materyal na kahinaan. Ulat ng Auditor sa Mga Kinakailangang Pagsunod sa Proposisyon A at C Ang Ulat ng Independent Auditor ay nagbibigay ng opinyon na sinunod ng LACMTA, sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, ang mga kinakailangang pagsunod na inilarawan sa MTA Reform and Accountability Act of 1998 at ang mga Ordinansa na maaaring magkaroon ng direkta at materyal na epekto sa mga kita at paggasta ng Proposisyon A at Proposisyon C para sa taon ng pananalapi na natapos noong Hunyo 30, 2023.

MGA AUDIT SA PAGSUNOD NG COUNTY AT MGA LUNGSOD

Isinagawa ng Vasquez and Company (Vasquez) at Simpson and Simpson (Simpson) ang audit sa pagsunod alinsunod sa mga auditing standard na karaniwang tinatanggap sa United States of America at ang mga pamantayang naaangkop sa mga pag-audit sa pananalapi na nakapaloob sa Government Auditing Standards, na inilabas ng Comptroller General ng United States. Ang mga pamantayang iyon ay nag-aatas na ang mga independiyenteng auditor ay magplano at magsagawa ng pag-audit upang makakuha ng makatwirang katiyakan tungkol sa kung may naganap na hindi pagsunod sa mga iniaatas sa mga Ordinansa at sa mga Local Return Guideline ng Proposisyon A at Proposisyon C, na maaaring magkaroon ng direkta at materyal na epekto sa programa ng Local Return ng Proposisyon A at Proposisyon C. Napagpasyahan ng Vasquez at Simpson na ang County ng Los Angeles at ang 88 Lungsod ay sumunod sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, sa ang mga iniaatas sa mga Ordinansa at ang mga Local Return Guideline ng Proposisyon A at Proposisyon C na naaangkop sa programa ng Proposisyon A at Proposisyon C para sa programa ng Local Return para sa taon ng pananalapi na nagtatapos noong Hunyo 30, 2023. Ang mga audit ng pagsunod sa Mga Local Return Guideline ng County at 88 Lungsod ay may natuklasang 25 lokal na hurisdiksyon na may mga problema sa pagsunod. Ang lahat ng natuklasan ay nalutas na o nasa proseso ng pagreresolba. Ang mga nakasulat na komento sa usaping ito ay tatanggapin hanggang Hunyo 4, 2024, hanggang alas-singko nang hapon. Maaaring i-email ang mga komento sa BoardClerk@metro.net o ipadala sa: Board Administration, LACMTA, One Gateway Plaza, Mail Stop 99-3-1, Los Angeles, CA 900122952. Ang mga kopya ng Independent Auditors Report sa Schedule of Revenues and Expenditures for Proposition A Sales Tax Revenue and Proposition C Sales Revenue ay makukuha sa Records Management Center sa LACMTA Plaza Level sa (213) 922-2342.

5/4/24 CNS-3795175# ASIAN JOURNAL (L.A.)

Fil-Am leader, labor rights advocates join...

and most powerful unions in California, including the California Nurses Association, the California Federation of Teachers and the Service Employees International Union (SEIU) – one of the leading forces behind the May Day rallies.

Fighting for working families

In campaign events, Caloza acknowledged her workingclass Filipino parents who have inspired her “to fight for working families.”

Participants from the Pilipino Workers Center said they were fighting for better wages, the right to strike, affordable housing, a path to citizenship, ceasefire in Gaza and an end to all wars.

Early Wednesday afternoon, Caloza and the PWC activists joined workers, union members and their supporters who gathered for a rally at the corner of Sunset Boulevard and North Gower Street, then marched through Hollywood converging at Hollywood Boulevard and Highland Avenue.

“Are we ready to march for our freedom?” Angelica Salas, executive director of the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights, asked the crowd prior to the

march. “Are we ready to march for our rights as workers? Are we ready to march for housing for all? Are we ready to march for citizenship for all?”

‘Solidarity is Power’

Salas said Hollywood was the appropriate setting for this year’s march, given the success of last summer’s writers and actors strikes that brought production to a halt but resulted in major labor gains for union members.

“We are here in Hollywood, California, because right here – because of our labor brothers and sisters – we saw the power of unions as they rose up and created `hot labor summer’ and fought for their rights as workers,” she said.

She later added, “Every year that we march … we plant a seed of justice with our feet, with our voices, with our fists. We plant the seeds of justice. So together we’re going to see the seeds of justice bloom.”

The theme of the march was “Solidarity is Power: The People United.”

The umbrella organization behind the event, the Los Angeles May Day Coalition, included the Los Angeles County Federation of Labor, United Teachers Los Angeles, SEIU, IATSE Local 839,

the National Union of Healthcare Workers and the Coalition for Humane Immigrant Rights. Labor groups have conducted rallies and protests on May 1 since 1890, originally commemorating the anniversary of the Haymarket affair on May 4, 1886, when what began as a peaceful rally in Chicago’s Haymarket Square in support of workers striking for an eight-hour workday ended with an unknown person throwing a dynamite bomb at police as they acted to disperse the meeting. (Nimfa U. Rueda/Inquirer.net)

AGRI SUMMIT. The Department of Agriculture (DA) opens the “Pagsibol: Philippine Horticulture and Urban Agriculture Summit at One Ayala Mall in Makati City on Friday, May 3. In his speech, Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. said the government will ramp up efforts to increase production, noting the huge potential of the industry, especially on exports. PNA photo by Robert Oswald P. Alfiler

Jessica Caloza (left) and labor rights advocates from the Pilipino Workers Center (PWC) join the May Day rallies.

Photo from Facebook/Jessica Caloza PAGE

‘Breaking a promise’: California de cit could halt raises for disability workers

by VANESSA SANCHEZ KFF Health News

SACRAMENTO — Families of people with intellectual and developmental disabilities say Gov. Gavin Newsom is reneging on a scheduled raise for the workers who care for their loved ones, and advocates warn of potential lawsuits if disability services become harder to get.

Citing California’s budget deficit, the Democratic governor wants to save around $613 million in state funds by delaying pay increases for a year for about 150,000 disability care workers. The state will forgo an additional $408 million in Medicaid reimbursements, reducing funding by over $1 billion.

Some lawmakers say this decision will increase staff turnover and vacancies, leaving thousands of children and adults with disabilities without critical services at home and in residential facilities. Disability advocates warn it could violate the Lanterman Act, California’s landmark law that says the state must provide services and resources to people with disabilities and their families.

Newsom is “breaking a promise,” said Felisa Strickland, 60, who has been searching for more than a year for a day program for her 23-year-old daughter, Lily, who has autism and cerebral palsy. “It’s creating a lot of physical and mental health problems for people, and it’s a lot of undue stress on aging parent caregivers like myself.”

Disability care workers, known as direct support professionals, provide daily, hands-on caregiving to help children and adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, such as autism, cerebral palsy, and epilepsy, remain independent and integrated into their communities.

In California, more than 400,000 people with disabilities need accommodation, and this population, along with seniors, is increasing. It’s not clear how big the worker shortage is because the state hasn’t released workforce data. As the demand for these workers grows generally, experts predict a shortage of between 600,000

and 3.2 million direct care workers by 2030.

Advocates say California pays most providers from $16 to $20 an hour, which meets the state’s minimum wage but falls short of what some economists consider a living wage. In 2021, the state committed to raising wages after identifying a $1.8 billion gap between the rates received by nonprofits that contract with the state to provide care and the rates deemed adequate.

Thus far, the state has provided around half that total, most of which has gone to raising wages and benefits. Workers had been expecting one more increase, of $2-$4 an hour, in July, until Newsom proposed a delay. Also, nonprofits say California has made it harder to compete for workers after raising wages in other service and health industries. Newsom approved a $20 minimum wage for fast-food workers that went into effect in April and he struck a deal last year with unions and hospitals to begin raising health care workers’ wages to a minimum of $25 an hour.

Ricardo Zegri said Taco Bell would pay him more than the $19 an hour he makes as a disability care worker in a supervisory position.

“Every paycheck, it’s a discussion at home about what bills we need to prioritize and whether it’s time to start looking for work that pays more,” said Zegri, who works a second job as a musician in the San Francisco Bay Area.

Newsom wants to preserve key health initiatives, including the state expansion of MediCal to low-income immigrants regardless of legal status, and CalAIM, an ambitious $12 billion experiment to transform MediCal into both a health insurer and a social services provider. However, the rate delay for providing disability care is the largest savings in the Health and Human Services budget as Newsom and legislative leaders look to cuts, delays, and shifts in funding to close a deficit estimated between $38 billion and $73 billion.

Dozens of legislators from both parties are asking Newsom and legislative leaders to preserve the increase. Assembly member

Stephanie Nguyen, a Democrat from Elk Grove, signed a letter supporting the raise. Although lawmakers are negotiating with the administration, she said reversing the decision to delay the pay boost is unlikely.

Everybody “has to take a hit somewhere,” Nguyen said.

Krystyne McComb, a spokesperson for the Department of Developmental Services, said even though the state would lose federal matching funds this year, it would resume drawing funds when the state reinstates the plan in 2025.

The department did not respond to questions about how it plans to retain workers and fill vacancies.

Newsom’s proposal risks a collapse of the disability service system, which would violate the Lanterman Act and make the state vulnerable to lawsuits, said Jordan Lindsey, executive director of the Arc of California, a statewide disability rights advocacy organization.

Families say the state has already fallen short on services they need. Strickland quit her job to care for Lily, the Santa Barbara mother said. “It’s not reasonable to expect someone to care for somebody else 24 hours a day, seven days a week,” she said.

Lily graduated from high school and in 2022 completed a program that prepares youth with disabilities to transition into adult life. She had been looking forward to joining a day program to make new friends but has yet to find a spot. And due to a shortage of workers, Lily receives only four hours a week at home with a provider, who is paid around $16 an hour.

When Lily hangs out with the provider, her demeanor changes to the happy person she used to be, Strickland said.

“The system is already in crisis,” she said. “There are tons and tons of people that are sitting at home because there’s nowhere for them to go.”

KFF Health News is a national newsroom that produces indepth journalism about health issues and is one of the core operating programs at KFF—an independent source of health policy research, polling, and journalism.

Marcos mobilizes PFP to prepare for....

in the country’s development.

The chief executive said that as the party’s head, he is directly talking to leaders of other key political parties such as Lakas, Nationalist People’s Coalition, Nacionalista Party and the National Unity Party in the House of Representatives, as well as local parties, as much as possible.

He added that the PFP is trying to engage all political factions in its own advocacies, including national development,

equality of people and upholding the country’s rights before the international community.

“I have spoken to the leaders of the other parties, and as far as I can tell, it seems that all are willing to talk (about the possible alliances),” he said.

Marcos expressed hope that by October, it will have been clear who will be running under the PFP and who will be part of the alliance.

October is the start of filing of the certificates of candidacy for those running in the May 2025

PAUNAWA NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Ang Panukalang M na Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee of Metro (Oversight Committee) ay magsasagawa ng pampublikong pagdinig sa Hunyo 5, 2024 nang 10:00 a.m. Maaaring makinig ang mga miyembro ng publiko sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag sa: (202) 735-3323 at ilagay ang Access Code na :5647249# (para sa Ingles) o 7292892# (para sa Espanyol).

Ang Oversight Committee ay itinalaga sa ilalim ng Panukalang M, na kilala rin bilang Ordinansa sa Pagpapahusay ng Trapiko sa County ng Los Angeles, na nagpataw ng kalahati ng isang porsyento (.5%) na mga transaksyon at gumagamit ng buwis upang pondohan ang mga pagpapabuti ng transportasyon sa County, na inaprubahan ng mga botante noong 2016. Ang Oversight Committee at proseso ng pangangasiwa ay itinatag upang matiyak na ang Metro at mga lokal na subrecipient ay sumusunod sa mga tuntunin ng Ordinansa. Ang proseso ng pangangasiwa ay nag-aatas na magsagawa ng taunang pag-audit upang malaman kung sumusunod sa mga probisyon ng Ordinansa na may kaugnayan sa pagtanggap at paggasta ng mga kita sa buwis sa pagbebenta sa taon ng pananalapi. Ang mga audit ay dapat ibigay sa Oversight Committee upang makagawa ito ng mga report kung ang Metro at mga lokal na subrecipient ay sumunod sa mga hinihingi ng Panukalang M. Bilang pagsunod sa Ordinansa, nakipagkontrata ang Metro sa BCA Watson Rice, LLP (BCA) para isagawa ang independiyenteng audit ng Panukalang M Special Revenue Fund at nakipagkontrata sa Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson para i-audit kung sumunod ang County ng Los Angeles (County) at ang 88 lungsod (mga Lungsod) sa loob ng county. Ang layunin ng pagdinig na ito ay upang tumanggap ng mga pampublikong komento sa mga resulta ng mga independiyenteng audit na isinagawa para sa Iskedyul ng Mga Kita at Paggasta para sa Panukalang M na Special Revenue Fund at Pagsunod sa mga Naaangkop na Iniaatas sa Local Return Guidelines ng Panukalang M mula Hulyo 1, 2022 hanggang Hunyo 30 , 2023, at ang taunang report ng Komite sa mga audit na ito. Ang taunang report ay makukuha sa https://www.dropbox. com/scl/fi/abahd4q0vvwrkumqyzesz/FY23-MeasureM-Oversight-Committee-Draft-Annual-Report. pdf?rlkey=p43wcqydi8wlaw8kblyw2sm86&e=1&st=l7x8dd4t&dl=0.

MGA REPORT NG MGA INDEPENDIYENTENG AUDITOR

Audit sa Special Revenue Fund ng Panukalang M: Isinagawa ng BCA Watson Rice, LLP (BCA) ang audit sa pagsunod alinsunod sa auditing standards generally accepted sa United States ng America at ang mga pamantayang naaangkop sa mga financial audit na nakapaloob sa Government Auditing Standards, na inisyu ng Comptroller General ng United States. Ang mga pamantayang iyon ay nag-aatas na magplano at magsagawa ng pag-audit ang BCA upang makakuha ng makatwirang katiyakan kung ang Iskedyul ng Panukalang M sa mga kita at paggasta ay walang materyal na maling pahayag. Napag-alaman sa audit na sumunod ang Metro, sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, sa mga hinihingi na naaangkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukalang M para sa taong nagtapos noong Hunyo 30, 2023.

Mga Audit sa Pagsunod ng County at mga Lungsod sa Panukalang M:

Ang Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson ay nagsagawa ng mga audit sa pagsunod sa Local Return Guidelines alinsunod sa auditing standards generally accepted sa United States ng America at ang mga pamantayang nakapaloob sa Government Auditing Standards, na inisyu ng Comptroller General ng United States. Ang mga pamantayang iyon ay nag-aatas na ang Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson ay magplano at magsagawa ng mga pag-audit upang makakuha ng makatwirang katiyakan kung may naganap na hindi pagsunod sa mga hinihingi sa Ordinansa na maaaring magkaroon ng direkta at materyal na epekto sa programa ng Panukalang M na Local Return. Ang Vasquez & Company, LLP ay nagsagawa ng audit ng County at 39 na Lungsod, at ang Simpson & Simpson ay nagsagawa ng audit ng iba pang 49 na Lungsod. Napag-alaman ng mga Independiyenteng Auditor na ang Metro at ang County, kabilang ang mga Lungsod, ay sumunod sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto sa mga hinihingi na naaangkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukalang M para sa taong nagtapos noong Hunyo 30, 2023. Napag-alaman sa mga audit sa pagsunod ng County at 88 Lungsod sa Local Return Guidelines ng Panukalang M na sampung (10) lokal na hurisdiksyon ang nagkaproblema sa pagsunod. Lahat ng mga napag-alaman ay nalutas na. Ang mga napag-alaman sa audit ay may tatlong pangunahing kategoryang sumusunod:

- Wala sa Oras na Pagsusumite ng mga Form: Pito (7) ang natuklasang mga Lungsod na hindi nagsumite ng mga form sa oras. Ang Form M-One at Form M-Two ay kinakailangang isumite ng mga Lungsod sa Metro na tumutukoy sa budget at mga paggasta ng kanilang mga proyektong pinondohan ng Local Return ng Panukalang M. Ang mga napag-alaman ay nalutas na dahil ang mga Lungsod ay agad na nagsumite ng mga kinakailangang form.

- Pagkabigong Makakuha ng Pag-apruba Bago Magkaroon ng mga Paggasta: Dalawang (2) lungsod ang nabigong makakuha ng pag-apruba bago gumawa ng mga paggasta. Ang mga lungsod ay kinakailangang kumuha ng pag-apruba ng proyekto bago ang paggastos ng mga pondo sa pamamagitan ng pagsusumite ng isang Form M-One na naglilista ng pangalan ng proyekto, halaga ng mga pondo ng Local Return ng Panukalang M na ilalaan para sa proyekto, paglalarawan ng proyekto, at makatwirang dahilan, na mahalaga para sa proyekto na susuriin ng Metro para sa pagiging kwalipikado ng Local Return ng Measure M ayon sa Local Return Guidelines. Ang mga napag-alaman ay nalutas na dahil ang mga Lungsod ay agad na nagsumite ng mga kinakailangang form at nakakuha ng mga retroactive na pag-apruba mula sa Metro.

- Hindi sapat na mga accounting procedure, pag-iingat ng rekord, at/o dokumentasyon: Isang (1) lungsod ang nabigong makumpleto ang proseso ng pagsasara ng accounting sa katapusan ng taon. Isang (1) lungsod ang nabigo sa pagpapanatili ng mga tamang rekord ng payroll. Ang mga lungsod ay kinakailangang magpanatili ng mga wastong rekord ng accounting at dokumentasyon. Ang mga Lungsod ay nasa proseso ng pagwawasto ng kanilang mga pamamaraan at sa piskal na taon ng 2024 na pag-audit, susuriin ng mga auditor kung ang mga pagwawasto ay ipatutupad nang tama ng mga Lungsod.

Taunang Report ng Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee ng Panukalang M: Napag-alaman ng Komite na: (1) ang mga audit ay isinagawa alinsunod sa Ordinansa na inaprubahan ng mga botante noong 2016; (2) Sumunod ang Metro, sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, sa mga hinihingi na naaangkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukalang M para sa taong nagtapos noong Hunyo 30, 2023; at (3) ang County at mga Lungsod ay sumunod sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto sa Ordinansa ng Panukalang M at mga tuntunin na naaangkop sa programa ng Local Return ng Panukalang M para sa taong nagtapos noong Hunyo 30, 2023. Napag-alaman sa mga audit na nagkaroon ng labing-isang (11) pagkakataon nang hindi pagsunod, na ayon sa mga tauhan ng Metro, ay nasa proseso na ng paglulutas. Ang mga nakasulat na komento sa usaping ito ay tatanggapin hanggang Hunyo 4, 2024 ng 5 P.M. Maaaring i-email ang mga komento sa BoardClerk@metro.net na may Paksa na "PUBLIC COMMENT FOR MEASURE M JUNE 5, 2024" at ilagay ang numero ng item na iyong

GRATITUDE. Artist Jeremiah Carandang, village chair Ian Espineda and philanthropist Manito Hwang (from left) lead the launch of a basketball court in Lope de Vega Street, Sta. Cruz, Manila on Friday, May 3. The court is painted with images of present and past leaders of the United Arab Emirates to honor their support and generosity to Filipino workers.

PNA photo by Yancy Lim

What’s the cost of US student...

and what’s next for student loans. Student debt relief under Biden

The Biden administration has approached debt relief in two ways: through broad relief, by approving “upwards of $153 billion in student loan forgiveness for around 4.3 million borrowers,” and through targeted relief, by reforming existing programs, said student loan lawyer and author Adam Minsky. Efforts to provide relief have met with staunch political opposition, however.

The administration’s first attempt would have forgiven up to $20,000 in federal student loan debt for millions of borrowers per the Heroes Act of 2003, which let the Education Department enact waive federal loan program regulations “in response to economic harm caused by a national emergency — in this case, the pandemic,” Minsky said.

This was challenged by a coalition of Republicanmajority states led by Nebraska and Missouri, and was struck down by the conservativemajority Supreme Court last June on the grounds that mass debt forgiveness was not expressly mentioned in the act. The administration’s current, second attempt at broad relief involves a separate legal authority — the Higher Education Act, “which does expressly allow for the waiver or cancellation of student loan debt, although it’s only been used in limited circumstances to date,” explained Minsky.

“The program could go live for borrowers as early as the fall, but most people expect this will be challenged in court as well, though it stands a stronger chance of surviving a legal challenge.”

Other, targeted initiatives include the IDR Account Adjustment giving forgiveness credit to borrowers unable to pay income-driven loan plans in 20 or 25 years; the Public Service Loan Forgiveness (PSLF) program providing forgiveness in as little as 10 years to borrowers who work for nonprofit or government organizations; and the Save Plan, exempting borrowers

earning below a certain income for payment and shortening the forgiveness timeline for some earning above it.

Many of these initiatives have also met with opposition.

For instance, the Save Plan, in which at least eight million borrowers have enrolled, “is subject to two new, separate lawsuits brought by 18 Republican states, including some of those that blocked Biden’s first mass debt relief plan,” said Minsky.

“A common criticism is that these programs are unfair to people who have already paid their debt,” he added. “But people saved for retirement on their own all their lives before Social Security came around, and we still implemented it. You could argue it was unfair to them, but we still generally think the measure was positive.”

The landscape for borrowers

“We’re seeing significant government actions to address the student debt crisis, but the effect of this is that borrowers are confused about whether or not they will be receiving forgiveness, what the parameters are, who is eligible, and what the consequences are for non-payment,” said Michele Shepard Zampini, Senior Director of College Affordability at The Institute for College Access and Success.

In a decisive election year, tens of millions of borrowers are also transitioning from the unprecedented pandemic payment clause — which, through March 2020 through fall 2023, exempted federal student loan payment and interest accrual — back into payment.

For many of these borrowers, “monthly payments are too high for them to afford. Basic living expenses like rent, food, child care, health care, or transportation are competing with loan bills,” Zampini explained. While 92% to 93% of outstanding student debt is federal, many of those with non-federal, private or state loans “are not eligible for these relief initiatives at all.”

“If Biden is reelected, I think the administration will continue to try and expand these initiatives,” she continued. “If it changes, we’ve heard the platform from the other side: not to invest in these

student aid programs, or even overturn them. Many of these programs are not ensured by law. They’re dependent on who is in the White House — so the stakes are very high for future students, and for those who have debt now.”

The impact of student debt and relief

For borrowers with snowballing interest, debt relief can be the difference between retiring at all and working for life.

“In 1990 I moved to Florida from Venezuela, where I was a physician with a master’s degree in ear, nose and throat surgery,” said Virginia Brown, a 72 year old recently retired mental health social worker. “I spoke English, I was a citizen, and I couldn’t find a good job. Finally, I went to school for professional mental health counseling — I always loved helping people.”

“Already having a master’s, I couldn’t go back to a bachelor’s or find an affordable alternative, so I took out a loan to go to Orlando Rollins, a private college,” she continued.

“People said ‘You’re going to get into all this debt,’ but it was the only choice.”

“Afterward I had two, three jobs at a time working in nonprofit social service, but interest grew the debt beyond $100,000 even as I was paying.

Day-to-day, I had to choose between paying up to $900 a month on a loan or the power bill, and I couldn’t afford moving closer to my family in Jersey City, where I am now,” she said.

“I found out I was able to get my debt forgiven in 10 years through the PSLF program, by transferring my loan from private to federal and continuing to work in nonprofits,” Brown explained. “In mid-2021 I got an email saying it was forgiven, and I couldn’t believe it. I sent it to my son wondering if I was dreaming.”

“I had jobs that I liked, providing an important social service to the community, but due to student loans I was stuck geographically and professionally,” she added.

“Without that relief, I wouldn’t have been able to retire or live close to my family. Debt forgiveness is life-changing.”

(Selen Ozturk/Ethnic Media Services)

‘Review PH-US military...

PAGE A1

to stop China's harassment.

"We should trust the effectiveness of our alliances not the unruly behavior of those who intend to distract us," Tolentino said.

China's aggression toward civilian vessels, he said, highlights the need to uphold international law.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva said the purpose of the Balikatan exercises is merely to enhance the country's defense systems' interoperability with our allies. "We are grateful to the nations and will continue supporting all efforts to strengthen our partnerships with them," Villanueva added.

He also said China has become

a certified bully, and their scare tactics are merely propaganda.

"Whatever they do will never take away our sovereign rights over the West Philippine Sea, especially the Scarborough Shoal, which is clearly within our exclusive economic zone," he said.

Meanwhile, some observers suggest that the recent water cannon attacks by the China Coast Guard on Philippine vessels in the West Philippine Sea were a deliberate move by Beijing to challenge the alliance between Manila and Washington.

During Tuesday's (April 30) encounter near Bajo de Masinloc (Scarborough Shoal), within the country's EEZ, vessels from the Philippine Coast Guard and the

Bureau of Fisheries and Aquatic Resources sustained damage when Chinese ships fired water cannons at them.

Previously, Senate Minority Leader Aquilino Pimentel III suggested that the Philippines respond to this recent incident by employing "diplomacy" and "intelligent tactics."

He emphasized that the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) should only be invoked with careful consideration. His comments came after the U.S. stated that it would uphold its defense obligations under Article IV of the 1951 U.S.-Philippines MDT. This would be in response to an "armed attack" on Philippine public vessels, aircraft, or armed forces. 

Foreign hackers threaten PH...

PAGE A1

and Communications Technology (DICT) said it foiled a cyberattack on various government email addresses, including that of the Philippine Coast Guard and even the private website of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.

It said other targets were government Google Workspaces, specifically the domain administrators of the Cabinet Secretary, the Department of Justice, the Congressional Policy and Budget Research Department of the Congress, the National Coast Watch System, and the DICT.

Also in January, the DICT thwarted the hacking of the Overseas Workers Welfare Administration's web applications.

The Commission on Elections (Comelec) has assured that it has taken steps to protect the automated election system (AES) to be used in 2025 elections against cyberattacks.

Comelec Chairman George Erwin Garcia said the features and the wish lists that are included in the hardware, software and transmission "ensure protection against any cyberattack."

Comelec spokesman John Rex Laudiangco earlier pointed out that the AES is not connected to telecommunications providers during the voting and counting periods.

Based on the technical specifications of the Full Automation System with Transparency Audit and Count (FASTrAC), the automated counting machine (ACM) and servers will only be connected

to the telcos at the point of transmission, which is after the Close Voting and Printing of the 1st 8 Election Returns (ERs).

Laudiangco said this assures that the digital results cannot be altered.

Election stakeholders in voting precincts can use printed ERs to verify the transmitted ERs in real-time at the election results website, which would be put up on election day.

A Korean technology provider, Miru Systems Co. Ltd., will be supplying the voting machines for next year's midterm elections.

In an interview on Wednesday with lawyer Maria Liavel "Lia" Badillo-Crisostomo for PrimeTimes, a program that streams on manilatimes.net and  The Manila Times social media platforms, Ken Cho, Miru's Overseas Sales Department vice president, said the firm has added "new user-friendly features" to the voting machines, including a keypad which allows the blind to vote.

The machine is also a "dual system" that scans paper ballots and also uses touch-screen technology, Cho said.

Miru will also utilize internet voting technology to make voting more convenient for overseas Filipinos.

The machine also has a faster scanning of ballots of at least 200 mm per second and a higher resolution of ballot scanning, Cho said.

The machine also has a bigger screen display of at least 12 inches and a minimum screen resolution of at least

1920x1080, with a privacy screen feature. Cho said Miru has handled elections in South Korea, Kyrgyzstan, Russia, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Iraq and five other countries.

"We are different from other election providers because we design, develop and manufacture our devices, both software and hardware," he said.

Cho said each country has its requirements that are tailored to its own culture.

"It's like buying a car. Some people prefer SUVs. It's really trying to understand the social and political situation of the country," he said.

Cho also brushed aside concerns raised against the company, particularly supposed election discrepancies in Congo and Iraq, saying they were "politically motivated" and came from "competitors who want to tarnish our image."

"We do not pay attention to them," Cho said.

"Our company is more technically oriented and not motivated by PR," he added.

Miru has been in business since 1999, designing, developing and manufacturing high-speed scanners.

Cho said the company started its election systems business in 2005.

"We have almost two decades of experience in the elections business, so we have gained a lot of experience," he said. (ManilaTimes.net and Philippine News Agency)

DATELINE PHILIPPINES

With 10,000 jeepneys to be taken o the road, commuters fear undersupply of public transpo

by JAMES RELATIVO Philstar.com

MANILA — Mobility advocates urged President Ferdinand "Bongbong" Marcos Jr. to ensure a steady supply of public transportation after thousands of jeepneys are expected to stop operations within the month.

This comes after the Land Transportation Franchising and Regulatory Board (LTFRB) announced that over 10,000 jeepney units are now considered "colorum" after failing to consolidate into cooperatives or corporations last Tuesday, April 30.

"The president, [Department of Transportation], and LTFRB should make sure that commuters will not suffer from a lack of public transport options because of the consolidation deadline," said AltMobility PH in a statement on Thursday, May 2.

"Additionally, lay down the next steps of the program."

LTFRB chairperson Teofilo Guadiz III earlier said that losing 10,000 jeepneys "wouldn't result in a transportion crisis," saying that commuters have trains, taxis, buses, motorcycle taxis and ride-hailing apps to choose from. He also said that jeepneys are even at an "over-

supply."

The government's public utility vehicle (PUV) modernization program earlier encouraged jeepney and UV Express operators to consolidate on on before April 30. Failure to do so would prohibit them from continuing operations.

The PUVMP aims to transition vehicles into using Euro-4 engines or electric minibuses three years after the consolidation deadline. However, some operators find modernization too expensive since the vehicles cost up to P2 million each.

"[The government should] meet with members of the transport sector and Civil Society Organizations to address issues of the PUV Modernization Pogram (PUVMP)/Public Transport Modernization Program (PTMP), particularly why there is reluctance from some groups," the AltMobility PH said.

Displacement of commuters According to a study released in 2020, over 8.95 million Filipinos ride traditional jeepneys per day. Each unit has an average maximum capacity of 12 to 16 passengers.

If one were to fill up 10,000 jeepneys at a single moment, this would result to 160,000 passengers. This means that the number

PH slides down 2 places in 2024 World Press Freedom Index

by CRISTINA CHI Philstar.com

MANILA — The Philippines has sunk two spots to place 134th out of 180 countries in this year's World Press Freedom Index, with media conditions continuing to fall below the standards of a free press even without a government openly hostile to journalists.

The Philippines' slightly lower rating in Reporters Without Borders’ (RSF) annual index on press freedom comes a year after it soared 15 spots to its highest ranking in six years, with the media watchdog noting that President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.'s first six months in office had "loosened constraints on the media."

Based on the incidents monitored by the Center for Media Freedom and Responsibility (CMFR) and the National Union of Journalists of the Philippines (NUJP), more attacks and threats against journalists took place in the first 22 months of Marcos' presidency compared to the same period under Duterte's term.

At least 135 incidents of attacks and threats against media workers took place from July 2022 to April 30, 2024, according to the CMFR and NUJP, more than a third of which (50) were allegedly perpetrated by state agents.

This development reflects warnings by press freedom advocates that Marcos' milder approach to the media — a departure from Duterte's repeated verbal abuse to journalists — is only half the story.

"The adjustment may be a correction and reflects how bad the Duterte administration’s policies towards media were and the initial optimism with the improvements under the Marcos administration," said Jonathan de Santos, NUJP chairperson.

"While we can say that the current administration is not as openly hostile to the press, the policies and strategies used during the Duterte years are still there and journalists in the Philippines are still at risk," he added.

Red-tagging still worrisome

In its country report, the RSF described the Philippines as "one of the region’s most dangerous countries for media professionals."

While the watchdog noted that fewer "violent attacks" have taken place under Marcos, "harassment by means of threats and 'red-tagging' persists."

Red-tagging is the act of labeling people and organizations as rebels, terrorists and enemies of the state. While the practice exploded under Duterte, it has continued to be used against journalists, rights defenders and perceived critics under Marcos. Most of the 75 cases of intimidation of the press recorded by CMFR and NUJP since 2022 involve the practice of red-tagging (45).

of commuters that would be forced to look for another modes of transportation would be much higher, since a jeepney driver usually does multiple trips, picking up commuters along a designated route.

In connection to this, AltMobility PH urges the government to address the following concerns:

• better social support mechanisms such that no one will lose their livelihood

• significantly increased government support in the form of subsidy or waived duties for the purchase of new units

• proper implementation and monitoring in select pilot cities, rather than nationwide implementation

Jeepney drivers and operators have earlier sought the intervention of the Supreme Court to issue a temporary restraining order (TRO) against the PUVMP, as PISTON fears of ballooning unemployment for drivers and debt for operators.

The LTFRB earlier said that they would give jeepney drivers up to May 15 before flagging down unconsolidated jeepney units who continue to operate. Those who would continue to violate after that would be given a P50,000 fine of top of a one year suspension for the driver. 

NICA: ‘Challenging’ to identify those behind Marcos deepfake

by JEAN MANGALUZ Inquirer.net

MANILA — The hunt for those behind President Ferdinand Marcos Jr.’s viral deepfake video has proven to be “challenging,” according to a National Intelligence Coordinating Agency (NICA) official on Thursday, May 2. A deepfake of Marcos that had gone viral depicted him declaring war on another country. The Presidential Communications Office (PCO) and other agencies have since been on the hunt for the people who made it.

“Although we know that they came from one country, lumalabas na IP (internet protocol) [address] nila ay nasa kabilang bansa (their IP address appears to be located in another country) so it’s becoming very challenging on our part to really identify these people involved in this kind of activity,” said NICA Deputy Director General for Special Concerns Abelardo Villacorta.

Speaking at the Bagong Pilipinas Ngayon public briefing, Villacorta said that the NICA is working with the Philippine National Police to track down the culprits.

“We have some partnerships with other intelligence agencies not only domestic but international,” added Villacorta.

The PCO had previously stated that foreign elements may be involved in the viral fake video. The agency encouraged the public to be more vigilant against such fabricated videos.

“Let us all be more vigilant against such manipulated digital content that are deployed by actors to propagate malicious content online and advance a malign influence agenda,” said the PCO in a statement last April. 

Lawmakers welcome Marcos’ unity call

THE announcement of President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. that the Partido Federal ng Pilipinas (PFP) is open to uniting with other parties ahead of the 2025 midterm elections was received with enthusiasm by several lawmakers.

Marcos, during the oathtaking of new PFP members on Wednesday, said the party is ready to work with different political factions to push its agenda of economic development and people's welfare.

"And so, it is really just appropriate under coalition and alliances between parties that we

continue on that path of unity for the sake of progress, for the sake of development in our country," said House Deputy Majority Leader and Isabela 6th District Rep. Faustino Dy V. Nueva Ecija 1st District Rep. Mikaela Angela Suansing said she was excited to hear about the President's plan to unite different parties, noting Filipinos are thirsty for unity.

"It is good news for us as it means that we are one with the President. He is not just alone in his party, but we are with him, and it will always bring us forward,

which is good to hear that we are united as one," Taguig 2nd District Rep. Amparo Maria

Rep. Robert Ace Barbers

De Santos also noted in January that compared to the previous presidency, “where there was just one center of power, there are now several powerful figures that journalists might be wary to ‘offend."

In November 2023, radio anchor Juan Jumalon was gunned down while broadcasting on Facebook for 94.7 Gold FM. The gunman suspected to be behind his killing was arrested this week. RSF also noted that the government has yet to decriminalize libel and cyberlibel, which human rights experts have criticized for being outdated laws that have a chilling effect on journalists and freedom of expression.

CMFR and NUJP said that eight journalists have been charged with libel since July 2022, while four of the five arrests recorded were related to cyber libel complaints.

De Santos said that the Philippines' poorer performance in RSF's 2024 press freedom index should prompt the government to take action on the more worrying aspects of the media environment in the country.

"The government could see this as a prompt to institute reforms like the decriminalization of libel and an official acknowledgment of the practice of red-tagging and an official end to that unwritten policy," he added.

Irene Khan, United Nations special rapporteur for freedom of expression, said during her visit to the Philippines that there is no "proper system" for the protection or prevention of attacks against journalists, with initiatives by the Presidential Task Force on Media Security to provide security escorts during elections "not enough."

Khan said journalists in the Philippines have become wary of approaching police, noting that this may be the "same police that may have tagged you or brought false charges against you."

Journalists face economic threats

The Philippines, once widely regarded as the freest press in Asia, is also dealing with a growing concentration of media ownership, while the sustainability of online independent press remains uncertain, RSF noted.

This is "a development accompanied by closer ties between media-owning families and political barons at regional and national levels," the watchdog said.

The media watchdog noted two worrying developments: the emergence of a third media giant owned by the Villar family's Villar Group, which has ties to former president Duterte's family, and the increasing media influence of House Speaker Martin Romualdez, the president's cousin.

Zamora said. Surigao del Norte 2nd District

OPINION FEATURES

Threats to press freedom

THE country marks World Press Freedom Day today as the manhunt continues for former corrections chief Gerald Bantag, who is wanted for the murder of broadcaster Percival Mabasa or Percy Lapid. Mabasa was gunned down on Oct. 3, 2022 near his home in Las Piñas, with the suspicion quickly focusing on Bantag, who had been the subject of Mabasa’s critical commentary.

Bantag’s co-accused who had also been in hiding, his former aide Ricardo Zulueta, was finally located last March, but only after being reported dead of heart failure in Bataan. The Philippine National Police has said there was no foul play in the death. But it could affect the case against Bantag, who is the accused mastermind in the murder not only of Lapid but also of a Bilibid prisoner who could have provided critical testimony to the prosecution.

Editorial

Jumalon, two suspects were arrested last March, and the alleged gunman was caught on April 29. Murder is not the only threat to press freedom in the country. The power to issue broadcast franchises is being weaponized for political purposes. Freedom of information remains a struggle, with the Office of the Ombudsman itself, for example, preventing media access to the annual statements of assets, liabilities and net worth of government officials.

The failure to bring killers of journalists to justice is one of the reasons why the Philippines continues to rank high in the Global Impunity Index drawn up by the New York-based Committee to Protect Journalists. Since democracy was restored in 1986, 199 media workers have been killed in the country, with Juan Jumalon the latest to be murdered in November last year as he was broadcasting live from his home in Misamis Occidental. He was the fourth journalist to be killed since President Marcos assumed power in 2022. At least in the case of

THE late strongman Ferdinand Marcos Sr. would have been so proud of his son. Without imposing martial law, President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. appears to have the Senate as well as mainstream media under his thumb. The two are the pillars of our democracy: We are entering dangerous times.

In the April 30 hearing by the 11man Senate Committee on Public Order and Dangerous Drugs that lasted about three hours, only its chairman, Sen. Ronald de la Rosa, was in attendance, left alone to interrogate the resource persons.

The two senators who owed their posts to former President Rodrigo Duterte's support — Christopher ("Bong") Go and Francis Tolentino — were absent at the hearing that would have belied or confirmed the former president's claim, made this year and in 2021, that Marcos was a cocaine user.

Whatever their reasons for boycotting the hearing, the senators' absence indicates their servility and/or alliance with Marcos. I haven't encountered in my years as a journalist a Senate committee hearing attended by only one senator, its chairman. De la Rosa had to call for a 10-minute break just to relieve himself.

I don't think the 10 other senators were all so busy attending to urgent personal matters as to forget their responsibility to participate as committee members in a process that would have confirmed or debunked a burning issue of the day. This involves the now

OVER the past few administrations, it seems to me, there has been less of an effort to systematically chronicle, much less, analyze, the manner in which our presidents run their administrations. President Cory Aquino commissioned a systematic review of her administration near the end of her term, and, President Fidel V. Ramos was famously prolific in his commentaries. Like her father, President Gloria Macapagal Arroyo studiously and systematically produced a memoir of her time in office in fairly short order after leaving office, and it is likely that had he

As in the rest of the world, the Philippine press faces financial and existential challenges posed by social media and infotainment. Digital technology has allowed the proliferation of fake news, disinformation and malicious content, and artificial intelligence is intensifying the threat. This is bad news for elections and democracy in general, for the dissemination of information on public health and even for efforts to fight climate change, as the UNESCO emphasizes on World Press Freedom Day.

UNESCO points out that in the past 15 years around the world, 44 environmental journalists have been murdered. World Press Freedom Day is an

Senate, mainstream media under Marcos Jr.’s

widespread rumor that the President of the Republic, the Commander in Chief of the nation's armed forces, was a cocaine addict, at least 10 years ago and probably to this day. While the rumor was started by Duterte back in 2021, it recently went viral in social media after the popular blogger "Maharlika" kept on repeating the allegations, and then two weeks ago showed in her vlog two Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency (PDEA) documents revealing that an agent was indeed going after Marcos for cocaine use, until he was ordered to stop by higher-ups.

Servile Marcos has successfully done what his father did, without physically closing newspaper offices and presses, and arresting journalists. The mainstream print media has proven to be so servile that none of the six broadsheets (which is still what is called mainstream media) even reported that such a hearing on the issue was undertaken.

The small Daily Tribune, even if said to be bankrolled by Senator Go and a top official of Duterte's party, did report that the hearing happened, but only in a 150-word piece buried deep inside the paper, that de la Rosa blew his top after reading blogger "Maharlika's" text message to him asking him if the first lady, Liza AranetaMarcos, had already "bought him." The Cebu-based Sun Star had a very good reportage of the hearing but published it only on its internet platform.

I had presumed that columnists — the soul of media as they don't just report events but interpret them — did not report on the hearing because most, if not all of them, submit their pieces morning of the day and even two

days before it is published. The hearing was on April 30, so they couldn't have published anything by May 1.

I was too optimistic of my colleagues: none wrote about the hearings yesterday. None of the Daily Tribune's columnists, former top officials of the Duterte administration, commented on the hearing. Marcos-as-a-cocaineuser, so viral in social media, was the elephant in the newsrooms.

PDEA

I think the hearing was close to establishing without question that the PDEA, or at least its agent Jonathan Morales, was intending to undertake operations — based on an informant's information that included incriminating photos — that would have eventually led to the arrest of Marcos in March 2012 when he was a senator, for cocaine use, with his close friends.

The operation was, however, ordered stopped, Morales testified under oath in the hearing, by then-PDEA deputy director general Carlos Gadapan, who told Morales that he was following the instructions of then-executive secretary Paquito Ochoa Jr. Before he joined the Aquino 3rd government, Ochoa was a senior partner in the law firm of the now first lady, Araneta-Marcos. (Gadapan was fired a few months later for unknown reasons).

Former PDEA agent Morales claimed that he himself signed in March 2012 the "authority to operate and pre-operation" reports to surveil then-Senator Marcos and even arrest him together with several of his friends for cocaine use in May 2012.

PDEA Director General Moro Virgilio Lazo struggled to destroy Morales' credibility by claiming he had been dismissed from the police force and had cases filed

Executive methods

lived longer, President Benigno Aquino III would have come out with a thorough memoir of his time in public service. He wasn’t a natural executive and, like so many presidents who came from a legislative background, often chafed at the combination of bureaucratic inertia and endless consultations our system imposes, with a media primed to appeal to this least common denominator in every instance. Yet he was an example of how devotion to duty could impose structure. The political and institutional, too, are affected in many ways by the personal and this needs careful consideration in reviewing how presidents function—or fail to. A case can be made that our most recent three presidents all subscribe to a uniquely Filipino political and social type: only

sons in political families with very strong patriarchs under whose shadow these presidents grew (or were stunted). Here, history weighs heavier than most and likes and dislikes can be inherited or mutated.

No such effort is likely on the part of Presidents Joseph Estrada and Rodrigo Duterte though Aprodicio Laquian came out with an interesting account of his truncated service to Estrada.

Neither have the “Little Presidents,” as executive secretaries have been called since the time of the first one, Jorge B. Vargas, been inclined to write about their periods of service, and for this reason, even commissioned biographies have been economical when it comes to really recording how presidents handled their executive responsibilities.

against him. Morales responded by pointing out that the cases were trumped-up charges that were dismissed, and he was merely out of the "rolls," that is, the list of active policemen and had not been discharged.

Lazo

Lazo, whose experience was mainly in heading police units such as the Special Action Force, claimed in the hearing that there were no such documents alleged by Morales on the PDEA's "Plans and Operations Reports Management Information System." Morales pointed out, however, that this management information system was not yet in place when he signed the document for the surveillance and arrest of Marcos.

The PDEA claimed through the state-run Philippine News Agency that the documents showing that Marcos was a suspect as a cocaine user were fake and made through artificial intelligence (AI) technology.

This only showed PDEA's ignorance of what AI is, which is much, much more sophisticated than adding names to a standard form. The PDEA's claim that it was "AI-generated" was contradicted by another of its officers, who instead claimed that the "authority to operate and pre-operations" documents are standard forms that could be downloaded through a computer, filled up and signed by the agent proposing the operation.

It is to the credit of Senator de la Rosa and his police-investigation experience that he pointed out a detail that gave much credibility to the authenticity of Morales' documents. He pointed out that the photocopied documents had semicircle marks beneath the "C" in the words "Confidential" in

We have a far longer history of executive administration distraction than our neighbors but quite likely a much slimmer volume of serious studies from the perspective of government. I, for one, can only hope and pray someone like Ronaldo Zamora would do a thorough and candid appraisal of how Palace business is done: in a country where institutional memory is rare, he was immersed in the entire history of the modern presidency, of which his father, as protocol officer to at least seven presidents, was a formidable part: while himself was a wunderkind of sorts in the administration of Ferdinand Marcos Sr. and an ill-fated executive secretary in the Estrada administration. Franklin Drilon, too, with his vast experience and combination of shrewd mess and good humor would be equally interesting in tackling the first Aquino and the Ramos administrations.

the two documents. He descried these marks as made by the steel fasteners used in binding a pile of documents, which punched holes in the papers to bind them. The documents could not have been forms merely filled up by Morales. They were taken out of a set of documents held together by those fasteners, de la Rosa concluded. There existed documents saying there was an operation to surveil Marcos and even arrest him for illegal cocaine use, contrary to the PDEA's claims none existed, de la Rosa concluded.

Maharlika

This was exactly Morales' claim when he was interviewed last week by the popular vlogger who uses the pseudonym "Maharlika," who broke the allegations based on the two documents, copies of which she had in her possession. Morales claimed that the documents were among a bunch of such documents on the surveillance and arrest project against Marcos, which he gave to the PDEA records office. The other documents were the informant's detailed affidavit on the allegations against Marcos, and several images of him snorting cocaine with friends.

De la Rosa has scheduled another hearing next week and has issued subpoenas to former executive secretary Ochoa, "Maharlika" and several other persons. He should have also summoned former President Duterte, who in 2021 revealed that he had been shown PDEA documents that reported that a presidential candidate in the 2022 elections was suspected of being a drug addict, but whom he did not identify, however. "There has been a presidential

These thoughts occurred to me when I ran into two members of the current Cabinet and one of them whom I knew from an earlier administration kindly answered my questions about the President. There are three characteristics this seasoned official considers noteworthy.

The first is that the President prefers small to big, and focused to sweeping, meetings. He is the kind who prefers to operate through Cabinet clusters rather than grandly convening the whole which the incumbent finds a waste of time. He is also fairly punctual which denotes mindfulness when it comes to everybody’s, and not just his, executive time. He also prefers that meetings get to the point with an actionable item: What is it that needs a decision of a specific action? I asked if this stemmed from the President’s experience as a local executive but the official candidly said he didn’t want to venture a guess,

candidate using cocaine," Duterte said in a speech on Nov. 18, 2021 at a rally in Oriental Mindoro. Duterte also questioned in his speech the qualifications of the unidentified candidate who, he said, enjoyed strong support from Filipinos. "What contribution has he made for the Philippines? I just want to ask," the former president said. "He is a very weak leader... except for the name," Duterte said. "He might win hands down, OK. If that is what the Filipinos want, go ahead." It is quite obvious now that it was Marcos that Duterte was referring to as the drug addict.

Duterte repeated his claim that the president was a cocaine user last January, and this time Marcos lashed back at him claiming it was the former president rather who was addicted to the painkiller drug, fentanyl, which he said had affected his mind. First lady Araneta-Marcos went to her husband's successor, very visibly snubbing Vice President Sara Duterte for allegedly laughing when her father made the claim. In an interview with a popular broadcaster, the first lady spewed venom at Sara, saying what she did was unforgivable. If Duterte was so good at prognosticating Marcos' win and judging his character, he would also likely be right in believing the PDEA agent's claim. (ManilaTimes.net)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * Facebook: Rigoberto Tiglao X: @bobitiglao My website: www.rigobertotiglao.com

not having seen the President operate up close when he was still a governor. He did venture the opinion that he finds the President well briefed when they meet; and that the First Lady is not in any way conspicuous in executive affairs.

I ventured an opinion of my own that this is all very interesting not least because it somehow isn’t particularly known by the public: but then again it can be said that very little has been known about the way executive business is conducted these days. To which the official shrugged since he is one of the least political people in public service. (Inquirer.net)

* * * The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * Email: mlquezon3@gmail.com; Twitter: @ mlq3

occasion to remember that in the face of all these threats, press freedom and credible journalism become even more important. (Philstar.com)

VP Sara, Senate pay tribute to workers

by RED MENDOZA AND JAVIER JOE ISMAEL ManilaTimes.net

VICE President Sara Duterte led several government officials in honoring Filipino workers on Labor Day, extolling their sacrifices for the progress of the country.

Duterte said that she salutes overseas Filipino workers, medical and security frontliners, community workers, teachers, and all public and private sector workers for their contributions to nation-building.

"Kayo ang itinuturing na tunay na bayani sa makabagong panahon. Nawa'y ipagpatuloy natin ang pagtahak sa daan tungo sa isang maunlad na kinabukasan (We recognize you as our modern-day heroes. Together, let us march ahead toward a prosperous future)," Duterte said.

She also prayed for workers' development and success.

Senate recognition

Senate President Juan Miguel Zubiri said he was one with the entire Senate in celebrating Labor Day.

In his Labor Day message, Zubiri emphasized the importance of the hard work put in by workers in building the country.

But he said that despite their vital role, workers were undervalued for their contributions.

"In the Senate, we have passed the P100 Daily Minimum Wage Increase Act in response to the call of our workers. We hope that the House will also pass it. Together, let's fight for the welfare of every Filipino worker," Zubiri added.

Senate Majority Leader Joel Villanueva praised all Filipino workers for their dedication to work.

He said that senators were doing everything to repay every sweat of our workers by formulating laws that would enhance their protection, welfare and capabilities.

In a Labor Day message, Villanueva outlined several initiatives he was working on to improve the lives of Filipino workers significantly.

For his part, Sen. Jinggoy Estrada, who chairs the Senate Committee on Labor, Employment and Human Resources Development, expressed deep gratitude for the Filipino workers' hard work and dedication

in strengthening our economy, acknowledging that their contributions are unparalleled.

Estrada said he was dedicated to working hard until every Filipino worker has a good salary, work-life balance and a comfortable life.

House complements

Speaker Martin Romualdez considered Filipino workers as the "backbone" of the nation, noting their indispensable role in shaping the Philippines into a thriving, dynamic society.

"The Filipino worker is known for their exceptional work ethic, creativity, and the innate ability to rise above challenges," Romualdez said.

He also lauded OFWs, who, he said, deserve special recognition for their contributions to both the Philippines and the economies of their host countries.

Romualdez promised that the House of Representatives would work on legislation that would guarantee fair labor practices, promote safety and health standards, and ensure that all would feel the benefits of a growing economy.

Deputy Majority Leader and Ang Probinsyano Party-list Rep. Alfred de los Santos, for his part, called for the protection of laborers' rights and welfare as he pushed for the proposed P150 minimum wage hike.

But, ACT Teachers Party-list Rep. France Castro lamented the

anti-worker policies of the Marcos administration, including the public utility vehicle modernization program (PUVMP), which, she said, has rendered a hundred thousand drivers and operators jobless, while workers continue to suffer over meager wage amid rising inflation.

Castro has advocated for a wage hike geared toward a family living wage, including a 50-50 split of profits between employers and workers.

"It is only fair that workers receive a living wage, considering their hard work and contributions to the country's economy," Castro said.

Meanwhile, Gabriela Rep. Arlene Brosas condemned the Marcos administration for its refusal to implement meaningful wage hikes for workers, calling it "unacceptable."

"The need for a wage increase is further underscored by the soaring prices of essential goods, including food and public utilities. Filipino workers are burdened by the relentless rise in living costs, exacerbating their already poor conditions," Brosas said.

The Makabayan Bloc has filed House Bill 4898, which proposes a national minimum wage that is aligned with the family living wage, and House Bill 7568, which seeks a P750 monthly across-the-board wage increase for private sector workers. 

CBCP issues Oratio Imperata for bishops to pray for rain

THE Catholic Bishops’ Conference of the Philippines (CBCP) on Friday asked Catholic prelates and priests to pray the Oratio Imperata for rain amid the dangerously high heat indexes recorded in various parts of the country and drought due to the El Niño phenomenon.

“We are respectfully sending the text of the Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam prepared by the Episcopal Commission on Liturgy (ECLit), for your consideration and use according to your pastoral discretion,” the CBCP said in a letter dated May 3. An Oratio Imperata is a prayer for a special intention that the archbishop or bishop of an archdiocese or diocese may require to be said at Mass.

In the Oratio Imperata Ad Petendam Pluviam, the bishops are asking the Lord to grant relief from the extreme heat.

"We humbly ask you to grant us relief from the extreme heat that besets your people at this time, disrupting their activities

and threatening their lives and livelihood," it said.

"Send us rain to replenish our depleting water sources, to irrigate our fields, to stave off water and power shortages, and to provide water for our daily needs," the prayer added. (PNA)

PAUNAWA NG PAMPUBLIKONG PAGDINIG

Los Angeles County Metropolitan Transportation Authority

Ang Panukalang R na Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee of Metro (Oversight Committee) ay magsasagawa ng pampublikong pagdinig sa Hunyo 5, 2024 nang 9:00

A.M Maaaring makinig ang mga miyembro ng publiko sa pamamagitan ng pagtawag sa: (202) 735-3323 at ilagay ang extension ng pagpupulong na 5647249# (para sa Ingles) o 7292892# (para sa Espanyol)

Ang Oversight Committee ay itinalaga sa ilalim ng Panukala ng R na kilala rin bilang Ordinansa sa Kaluwagan sa Trapiko at Pagpapalawak ng mga Riles, na nagpapataw ng karagdagang kalahati ng isang porsyento ng mga transaksyon at ginagamit ang buwis upang pondohan ang mga pagpapabuti ng transportasyon sa County, na inap rubahan ng mga botante noong 2008. Ang Oversight Committee at proseso ng pangangasiwa ay itinatag upang matiyak na ang Metro at mga lokal na subrecipient ay sumusunod sa mga tuntunin ng Ordinansa. Ang proseso ng pangangasiwa ay nag -aatas na magsagawa ng taunang pag-audit upang malaman kung sumusunod sila sa mga probisyon ng Ordinansa na may kaugnayan sa pagtanggap at paggasta ng mga kita sa buwis sa pagbebenta sa taon ng pananalapi. Ang mga audit ay dapat ibigay sa Oversight Committee upang makagawa ito ng mga report kung ang Metro at mga lokal na subrecipient ay sumunod sa mga hinihingi ng Panukalang R. Bilang pagsunod sa Ordinansa, nakipagkontrata ang Metro sa BCA Watson Rice, LLP (BCA) para isagawa ang independiyenteng audit ng Panukalang R Special Revenue Fund at nakipagkontrata sa Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson para i -audit kung sumunod ang County ng Los Angeles (County) at ang 88 lungsod (mga Lungsod) sa loob ng county

Ang layunin ng pagdinig na ito ay upang tumanggap ng mga pampublikong komento sa mga resulta ng mga independiyenteng audit na isinagawa para sa Iskedyul ng Mga Kita at Paggasta para sa Panukalang R na Special Revenue Fund at Pagsunod sa mga Naaangkop na Iniaatas sa Local Return Guidelines ng Panukalang R mula Hulyo 1, 2021 hanggang Hunyo 30 , 2022 at Hulyo 1, 2022 hanggang Hunyo 30, 2023, at ang taunang report ng Komite sa mga audit na ito. Ang taunang report ay makukuha sa https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/n1r9xaqaqk3v6r2gu9ms4/FY22 -FY23-MeasureROversight-Committee-Draft-AnnualReport.pdf?rlkey=5fkwq7zimyn280fb3zvi9hxnr&e=1&st=txaxxx5b&dl=0

MGA REPORT NG MGA INDEPENDIYENTENG AUDITOR

Audit sa Special Revenue Fund ng Panukalang R Isinagawa ng BCA ang mga audit sa pagsunod alinsunod sa auditing standards generally accepted sa United States ng America at ang mga pamantayang naaangkop sa mga financial audit na nakapaloob sa Government Auditing Standards, na inisyu ng Comptroller General ng United States. Ang mga pamantayang iyon ay nag -aatas na magplano at magsagawa ng pag-audit ang BCA upang makakuha ng makatwirang katiyakan kung ang Iskedyul ng Panukalang R sa mga kita at paggasta ay walang materyal na maling pahayag. Napag-alaman sa mga audit na sumunod ang Metro, sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, sa mga hinihingi na naaangkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukalang R para sa mga taong nagtapos noong Hunyo 30, 2022 at Hunyo 30, 2023.

Mga Audit sa Pagsunod ng County at mga Lungsod sa Panukalang R Ang Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson ay nagsagawa ng mga audit sa pagsunod sa Local Return Guidelines alinsunod sa auditing standards generally accepted sa United States ng America at ang mga pamantayang nakapaloob sa Government Auditing Standards, na inisyu ng Comptroller General ng United States. Ang mga pamantayang iyon ay nag-aatas na ang Vasquez & Company, LLP at Simpson & Simpson ay magplano at magsagawa ng mga pag-audit upang makakuha ng makatwirang katiyakan kung may naganap na hindi pagsunod sa mga hinihingi sa Ordinansa na maaaring magkaroon ng direkta at materyal na epekto sa programa ng Panukalang R na Local Return. Ang Vasquez & Company, LLP ay nagsagawa ng mga audit ng County at 39 na Lungsod, at ang Simpson & Simpson ay nagsagawa ng mga audit ng iba pang 49 na Lungsod

Ang mga audit ng pagsunod sa Local Return Guidelines ng County at ng 88 Lungsod para sa Mga Piskal na Taong 2022 (FY22) at 2023 (FY23), ay napag-alamang nagkaroon ng problema sa pagsunod ang 17 at 12 lokal na hurisdiksyon, ayon sa pagkakabanggit. Ang lahat ng napag -alaman ay nalutas na o nasa proseso ng paglulutas. Ang mga napag-alaman sa pag-audit ay ang mga sumusunod:

Problema sa Pagsunod FY22 FY23

Wala sa Oras na Pagsusumite ng mga Form: - Ang Form One at Form Two ay kinakailangang isumite ng mga hurisdiksyon sa Metro na nagpapakita ng budget at mga paggasta 11 7 Pagkabigong Makakuha ng Pag-apruba Bago Magkaroon ng mga Paggasta - Kinakailangan ng mga hurisdiksyon na kumuha ng pag-apruba ng proyekto bago gumastos ng mga pondo 6 4 Hindi sapat na mga accounting procedure, pag -iingat ng rekord, at/o dokumentasyon - Responsibilidad ng hurisdiksyon na magpanatili ng wastong mga rekord ng accounting at dokumentasyon

Kabuuan

1 3

18 14

Taunang Report ng Independent Taxpayer Oversight Committee ng Panukalang R Sinuri ng Komite ang anim na independiyenteng ulat ng audit at batay sa pag susuring ito, bumuo sila ng taunang report. Napag-alaman sa ulat na: 1) ang mga audit ay isinagawa alinsunod sa Ordinansa na inaprubahan ng mga botante noong 2008; 2) Sinunod ng Metro, sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, ang mga kinakailangan na naaangkop sa mga kita at paggasta ng Panukala ng R para sa mga piskal na taon ng pananalapi na magtatapos sa Hunyo 30, 2022 at Hunyo 30, 2023; at 3) ang County at mga Lungsod ay sumunod, sa lahat ng materyal na aspeto, sa Ordinansa ng Panukalang R at mga tuntunin na naaangkop sa programa ng Panukala ng R Local Return para sa mga taon ng pananalapi na magtatapos sa Hunyo 30, 2022 at Hunyo 30, 2023; gayunpaman, ang mga audit ng FY22 ay nagresulta sa 18 mga pagkakataon nang hindi pagsunod ng 17 lokal na hurisdiksyon kabilang ang dalawang materyal na kahinaan at tatlong mahahalagang kakulangan sa mga internal control sa pagsunod. Ang mga audit ng FY23 ay nagresulta sa 14 na pagkakataon n ang hindi pagsunod ng 12 lokal na hurisdiksyon kabilang ang dalawang materyal na kahinaan at dalawang mahahalagang kakulangan sa mga internal control sa pagsunod.

Ang mga nakasulat na komento sa usaping ito ay tatanggapin hanggang Hunyo 4, 2024 ng 5 P.M. Maaaring i -email ang mga komento sa BoardClerk@metro.net na may Paksa na "PUBLIC COMMENT

Vice President Sara Duterte Photo from Facebook/@MayorIndaySaraDuterteOfficial

DRY SEASON. A rice field in San Jose, Occidental Mindoro is damaged caused by the drought due to El Niño. Malacañang photo

Asian Journal WKND

sister-in-law Genalyn seemed like ideal candidates for this opportunity. Aside from alleviating her own workload,

‘Here Lies Love’ garners four Tony Award nominations

By momar G. Visaya AJPress

HERE Lies Love,” the groundbreaking musical featuring Broadway’s first-ever all-Filipino cast notched four Tony Awards nominations on Tuesday, April 30.  The musical received four nominations: Best Original Score (Music and/or Lyrics) Written for the Theater (Music: David Byrne and Fatboy Slim Lyrics: David Byrne), Best Scenic Design (David Korins), Best Sound Design (M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer), Best Choreography (Annie-B Parson). These technical nominations highlight the show’s production’s outstanding musicality and

strengths in choreography, lighting, and sound that brought the unique “dance club” concept of telling Imelda Marcos’ story to life and made the immersive experience impactful. Directed by Alex Timbers, the musical showed a captivating

exploration of the life of the renowned former First Lady of the Philippines and subsequent fall at the hands of the People Power Revolution. Known for its disco-infused score and innovative staging, “Here Lies

Kristine Hermosa talks about 6th pregnancy, qualities Oyo takes after dad Vic Sotto

father, TV host Vic Sotto. In many ways, father and son do not only share blood, but also possess similar traits. The ever-beautiful actress

KRISTINE Hermosa said her husband Oyo Boy takes after his

by Kathleen a llemit Philstar.com

Conrad Ricamora (as Ninoy Aquino) and the cast of Here Lies Love

Photo by Billy Bustamante, Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman

Nurse balances work and home...

solution to

Lani recognized the immense opportunity this presented for her nieces, Karen and Kyla, to pursue their education and have a better life in the United States. It is perfectly legal for family to petition other family members for an employment based green card, which is much faster than a regular family petition, and allowed Lani to live an easier life. For individuals like Lani, this pathway offers a practical

right after TV Patrol Linggo. Citizen Pinoy is also available on iWantTFC. Viewers may download the free app. (Advertising Supplement) Lani

Filipino restaurant Kaya receives Florida’s first Michelin Green Star for sustainable gastronomy

By MoMar G. Visaya AJPress

KAYA, a Filipino restaurant in

Michelin Green

Award last Thursday, April 18 for its outstanding commitment to sustainable and eco-conscious dining.

Awarded by the Michelin Guide, the Green Star designation is a testament to a restaurant’s exceptional commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship. To earn this coveted recognition, restaurants must not only

‘Here Lies Love’ garners four....

Love” began its Broadway run on June 17, 2023, with an official opening on July 20, 2023, at the Broadway Theatre. Despite critical acclaim, the show faced challenges at the box office and concluded its run on November 26, 2023.

Featuring a groundbreaking all-Filipino cast led by Arielle Jacobs, Jose Llana, and Conrad Ricamora, “Here Lies Love” marked a significant moment in Broadway history.

Jose Antonio Vargas, one of the producers, reflected on the significance of theater and expressed gratitude for the nominations through a social media post: Theatre is that rarest thing: at once ephemeral and everlasting. And award nominations are one measure of success. Grateful for the much-deserved recognition of these extraordinary artists. And equally grateful for the unforgettable experience that is Here Lies Love.

“You cannot erase the history that was made with @herelieslovebway, and I’m thankful to everyone––all the wonderful artists involved, all the performers who poured their hearts, all the producers who believed in the show—for this singular journey,” he said.

Aside from the Tony nods, the musical also received nominations from a couple of other award-giving bodies.

The Outer Critics Circle, the official organization of writers on New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers and national publications, honored Here Lies Love with nominations for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Scenic Design (David Korins), Outstanding Sound Design (M.L. Dogg and Cody Spencer), and Outstanding Lighting Design (Justin Townsend).

The musical also got three nods from the Drama League Awards for Outstanding Revival of a Musical, Outstanding Direction of a Musical (Alex Timbers), and Distinguished Performance Award

The 77th

will be broadcast live from the David H. Koch Theater at Lincoln Center for the Performing Arts in New York City on Sunday, June 16, 2024.  Leading the Tony pack with 13 nominations each are “Hell’s Kitchen” and “Stereophonic.” These two productions earned nods in multiple categories including Best Musical, Best Direction, and Best Original Score. Close behind, with 12 nominations, is “The Outsiders” while “Cabaret at the Kit Kat Club” has garnered 9 nominations. “Appropriate” received 8 nods; “Merrily We Roll Along,” “Water for Elephants,” and “Purlie Victorious: A Non-Confederate Romp Through the Cotton Patch” have each earned 7 nominations.  Rounding out the list of top contenders are “Suffs” and “An Enemy of the People,” both with 6 nominations, followed closely by “Jaja’s African Hair Braiding” with 5 nominations. “The Notebook” and “Back To The Future: The Musical” have received 3 nominations each, while “Gutenberg! The Musical!” and “Monty Python’s Spamalot” earned 1 nomination apiece. g

(left) with Atty. Michael Gurfinkel.

From left: Lani’s brother Marvin, nieces Karen and Kyla and sister-in-law Genalyn.

Kaya’s chef Lordfer Lalicon receiving the restaurant’s Michelin Green Star Award. Photo from Instagram/@kaya.orlando

(Conrad Ricamora). The 2024 Drama League Awards ceremony will take place on Friday, May 17, 2024, at the Ziegfeld Ballroom in New York City.

Annual Tony Awards, hosted by Ariana DeBose,

A ‘Very Important Pinoy’ tour

LOS ANGELES – In a bid to bolster tourism in the Philippines with emphasis in the untapped countrysides

– the Department of Foreign Affairs, Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board and its implementing partner Rajah Tours – are intensifying their campaign to attract Fil-Ams and other diverse groups in North America to visit the Philippines from July 21 to 30 this year. Originally christened as Ambassadors, Consul Generals and Tourism Directors (ACGTD) Tour to visit the Motherland, this flagship project was launched in 2005 by the late Secretary of Foreign Affairs Albert Del Rosario with the support of all foreign posts in the U.S. and Canada. There was an initial 350 participants. It gained traction with 500 adherents the following year. In 2008, the program registered 605 visitors and fluctuated to 184 in 2017 due to the declaration of martial law in Marawi and Davao in these two featured destinations. It was scrapped in 2010 and 2016 due to national elections and 2020, 2021 and 2022 at the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. Lately, the group tour is billed as, “Very Important Pinoy Tour.” Rajah Tours Chairman and CEO Alejandra Cruz Clemente who flew from the Philippines via New York to Los Angeles met with the media, community leaders, Philippine Airlines executives and three stalwarts from the Los Angeles Philippine Consulate at Chinatown to pitch for the joint government and private sector’s tourism project. Ms. Clemente lamented the lack of push, publicity or media coverage for this effort. She emphasized, “While we are recovering, we need help. Our tourism will get a boost 10-fold when the Bulacan International Airport will become operational.” She added, “It takes time but we’re getting there.” The Philippine Consulate General of Los Angeles were represented by Deputy

in the Philippines, promote the Philippines as a retirement haven for Fil-Ams and foreigners and contribute to the socio-economic development of the country in terms of foreign exchange earnings.

While dissecting the apparent lack of push, a reporter suggested to Tourism Secretary Christina G. Frasco to conduct a roadshow like what former Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon did when he journeyed to Los Angeles many years ago with entertainers – generating nostalgia.

Other issues cropped up regarding sanitation, cleanliness, rest rooms, cigarette butts strewn all over, among others.

Filipino restaurant...

PAGE B2

Lalicon highlighted their focus on “bayanihan” in building strong ties with the local community, artisans, and farmers, further reinforcing their dedication to supporting local initiatives.

“We center our work around the Filipino value bayanihan , a spirit of communal support,” Lalicon said in a quote by Michelin Guide. “We have built Kaya with the intention to improve the local restaurant-farmer-community ecosystem.”

Situated in the Mills 50 district in Orlando, Kaya occupies a charming bungalowstyle building that exudes a quirky allure. Guests are greeted with captivating views of the open kitchen, adding to the restaurant’s inviting ambiance.

The dining experience at Kaya revolves around a meticulously curated tasting menu, featuring multiple courses, some comprising more than one element.

Consul General Maria Alnee A. Gamble, Consul for Cultural Diplomacy Marie Cris P. Chieng and Cultural Officer Edelmira Valencia.

Ms. Clemente, a native of Mangatarem, Pangasinan said, “We are developing new infrastructures and tourist destinations like Northern Mindanao particularly Cagayan de Oro, Iligan, Bukidnon and Bacolod in the Western Visayas Region.”

“Our country has very rich culture. We want our compatriots living in North America to witness cultural immersion themselves and meet the indigenous tribes featuring the indigenous customs of

Iligan and Maranao natives: weaving, culinary arts, cultural dances, and Maskara Festival of Negros Province. We are arranging cultural presentations during the tour. It would be full of adventure if the participants would like to go water rafting, zipline adventures agricultural tour, explore the Silay ruins and the powdery white sand beaches.”

The main objectives of this tour is to entice Filipino American to deepen their appreciation of their Motherland, its rich history, heritage and culture and experience the warm hospitality of the Filipino people; to attract Fil-Americans and foreign tourists to invest

Clemente also decried not implementing some seven to 10 congressional bills which she helped design that became law but marketing and promotion still lack funding. There was also a comment that the branding shift from Ambassador’s Tour to Very Important Pinoy Tour might have confused potential parties.

To assure the safety and security of the participants, all government apparatus including local and provincial authorities and the Philippine National Police will be tapped. An audience with the President Ferdinand R. Marcos, Jr. is yet to be confirmed.

Philippine flag carrier, Philippine Airlines will fly the participants from North America and on domestic flights across the Philippines. Interested parties may call Innovative Tours and Travels CEO Megs Ilagan for bookings in the U.S. at 714-595-9891. g

This means that every aspect of their operations, from team development to partnerships with local artisans and sourcing of produce and seafood, is geared towards enhancing this ecosystem as they prioritize minimizing waste through innovative utilization of byproducts.

In an Instagram post, Bailey said, “Utang na loob or inner debt, or as my mom would say, “the debt you can never repay.” while most often we think of this in terms of personal relationships and reciprocity with others, we intentionally extend this principle to the land and the abundance of resources it provides us. we have a responsibility.”

“Culinary trends like low waste, snout to tail, and farm to table are seen not just as modern concepts but as ancestral technology deeply ingrained in Philippine cuisine,” Bailey further explained, “(our people have been doing this for generations… there’s a reason vinegar is such a central component to philippine

“Expect a modern spin on classic Filipino dishes with local seafood and central Florida produce taking center stage. Kinilaw na isada (sic), a cevichestyle dish with madai and finely diced fruit in a vinegar sauce is a stunning dish that wakes up the palate for a strong start,” according to the Michelin Guide writeup.

“Then, the menu changes often, but you may enjoy kare, a rectangle of braised forktender oxtail resting in the classic and flavorful peanut stew/sauce, along with various vegetables. It’s served with their pitch-perfect garlic rice, served classic or with a luxe update with King crab.”

With the Michelin Green Star distinction, Kaya joins an esteemed group of restaurants renowned for their commitment to sustainability, including Blue Hill at Stone Barns in Tarrytown, New York; Dirt Candy in New York City; Providence and Osteria Mozza, both in Los Angeles; and The French Laundry in Yountville. g

by Dan E. niño Contributor

Round table discussions were held recently to push for Philippine tourism in the Chinatown district in Los Angeles. Top photo shows the discussions being presided by Rajah Tours Philippines’ Alejandra Cruz Clemente (center, in black coat). With her in photo are (clockwise, starting to her left) tourism-based partners Megs Ilagan of Innovative Travel and Tours, former Tourism Director Manny Ilagan, Philippine Airlines executive Mitty Abellar Torres, Dr. Dante Banta, journalist Dan Niño, Cultural Officer Edelvina Valencia, Consul for Cultural Diplomacy Mariecris P. Chieng, Deputy Consul General Maria Alnee Gamble, and Asian Journal president Cora Oriel.

Some of the participants pose after the meeting: (seated, from left) Loida Crisostomo, journalist Lydia Solis, Alejandra Clemente of Rajah Tours, Deputy Consul General Maria Alnee Gamble, Consul for Cultural Diplomacy Mariecris Chieng and Innovative Tours & Travels Megs Ilagan; (standing from left) PAL account manager Ricky Panis, PAL account manager Mitty A. Torres, journalist Dan Niño, San Gabriel Valley publisher Marc Pijuan, Cultural Officer Edelvina Valencia, FACLA president Trini Foliente, former Tourism Director Manny Ilagan, Asian Journal president Cora M. Oriel, Kalayaan Inc. president Erlinda Granada-Sabah and Philippine Post publisher & editor Val G. Abelgas.

The glory of Italy and Greece’s ancient history

TRAVELLING to other countries like Italy and Greece is culturally and intellectually very enriching and stimulating. It rekindled my interest and passion in history especially ancient history and antiquities of both countries. The first time I was in Italy was in 2009 but only visited Rome, San Marcello in the province of Ancona.

Our recent trip to these two great countries of Europe had broadened my knowledge of classical history. What we learned in school were limited or scant. Learning is more effective when tour guides explained in more details our featured destination’s history replete with videos, real artifacts, statues and reinforced with Q&A.

My family journeyed to Italy with Florence as our base to primarily fulfill an obligation. Wifey Myrna was one of the ninangs or godmothers of the bride and groom while my only adult child Denver was one of the groomsmen for this wedding destination. Tim Mamoyac, the groom and a relative, is an IT guy while his lovely bride, Cydney Purificacion is a physician. I considered this as luxurious wedding infused with a 30-minute fireworks after a lavish and overflow of cocktails with enormous cold cuts and other appetizers – amid a trio of Italian musicians with their acoustic guitars providing nonstop entertainment. With the hors d’oeuvre alone, I felt I was already having gluttony – a full meal. Thereafter, a formal dining reception followed. The whole wedding entourage and guests who mostly came from the U.S. were having fellowship awaiting for the wedding cake to be served when all of a sudden, fireworks erupted outside of the hall’s lush gardens. It was like the 4th of July on March 13 which coincidentally was also my birthday. I almost stole

the thunder when a portion of the guests began singing the “happy birthday” song. I had to scuttle it for obvious reason.

After a quick layover in Zurich where its mountain ranges were still packed with snow, we arrived in Florence after an-hour flight at 6 p.m. on March 9. My first impression on our way to our hotel on Via Aprile were most of the streets are narrow and one-way. Our driver, reminded us that walking around downtown Florence is faster than taking a cab or uber.

The following day, we ventured out to downtown Firenzia, the Italian name of Florence, specifically to Piazza San Giovanni (St. John Square), and Piazza Signoria and Piazza Duomo (Cathedrale Square).

This urban nucleus is the civic, political and religious center of this historic Italian city.

My primary interest were the historic sights and icons and museums of Florence, considered the bastion of the Renaissance Period in Italy. This preeminent city whose history began in 59 B.C. under Caesar Augustus of the Roman Empire produced world renowned artists and personalities like Donatello (the father of Renaissance, bronze David, St. John the Baptist, etc.), Michelangelo (The marble statue of King David found at Galleria dell’ Accademia, frescoed painting at Sistine Chapel ceiling at the Vatican, etc.), merchant and explorer-navigator Amerigo Vespucci whose name the term America was derived from, master painter Raphael and architect (Madonna painting,

frescoed Vatican Palace), the powerful and fabulously wealthy Medici family that produced two popes: Giovanni de Medici who became Pope Leo X and cousin Giulio de Medici who chose the name Clement VII. When Rome was sacked in 1527, the Medici family lost power.

We also explored the original Gucci Store show window in Florence. When my son inquired how much does one shoulder party bag cost, the welldressed sales lady revealed, 49,000 euro. I stormed out and just bought three fine leather goods amounting to 150 euro (about USD 200) at the open pavilion or flea stores which is still expensive by American standard. I found out later that my son Denver bought two Gucci party bags totaling 2,800 euro for his mom and cousin. The one-lane in U.S. streets is equivalent to two lanes in Italy. I figured out, Italy during those ancient years, transportation were by carriage or wagons pulled by horses. The narrow streets and alleys were safe despite the invisible cops.

In downtown Florence across Palazzo Vecchio, I even met here 29-year-old newcomer Philippine actor and model, Gabriel Paolo whose last name in real life is Lagman who mentioned that he starred in the TV series “Halik”. It took him two hours on board a train from Rome to Florence. Florence derived its name from the Latin word “florentia”, which means flora and flower that began when Caesar Augustus founded this colony. During

This charming man: Philippine Consul General Edgar Badajos, Jr.

I’VE had the pleasure to get to know Honorable Philippine Consul General Edgar Badajos Jr., better known as ConGen to many of us in Southern California and Nevada, during his tenure as Consul General of Los Angeles. I first had a chance to chat with him in depth a couple of years ago when we happened to sit right next to each other at the musical “Lorenzo Ruiz” at the Aratani Theatre in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. He strikes me as an exceptionally eloquent man who was willing to talk to anyone.

A few months ago, I had an in-depth conversation with him for my podcast, Chat With Mic, in his office — a more familiar ground.

On why ConGen chose to work in the Department of Foreign Affairs

Initially he worked in the Philippine Senate drafting appeals for the legislation. According to ConGen, in his private moments, he reflected on what his contribution is on the community and Philippine society in general. ConGen comes from a family of overseas Filipino workers (OFWs) and his older brothers sent him through college. In 1995, the story of Flor Contemplacion, a Filipina domestic worker who was executed by hanging in Singapore, opened ConGen’s eyes. He thought that proposed legislation may not be enough, and he decided to join the foreign service. At the time, OFWs were at the forefront of Philippine foreign policy. ConGen thought that maybe he can be of greater help to overseas Filipino workers including his brothers who were working in Saudi Arabia at the time. He stressed, “we needed to do more to help them.”

Three pillars of Philippine foreign policy

ConGen recounts the three pillars of Philippine foreign policy, which starts with protecting the country’s political interests, protecting the country’s economic interests, and protecting overseas Filipinos.

Giving back to his brothers and overseas Filipino community

According to ConGen, working in foreign service is a way of giving back to Overseas Filipino Workers who are now 10 million strong — to help them and to protect them while they are overseas.

On his experiences in Jeddah, Thailand, Los Angeles and New York

“Jeddah is so different from where we are right now (Los Angeles). We’re talking about Saudi Arabia…where we’ll find Overseas Filipino Workers in the true sense of the word.

These are Filipinos who pass through the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) who are able to work for various employers in Saudi Arabia who

really need the assistance of our government. There’s a lot of work that needs to be done in terms of protecting the rights of household, domestic helpers. Our government must be at the forefront to protect the rights of our Filipino workers.”

In Thailand, ConGen says, “There are only 15,000 OFWs, most of which are English teachers.” Therefore, the consulate doesn’t encounter problems as much as you would find in Saudi Arabia.

“In Los Angeles, we don’t have that kind of problem like in Saudi Arabia where we receive phone calls every hour, every day from workers needing assistance, intervention from the Philippine government to rescue them from abusive employers, from working conditions that are not so desirable.”

ConGen quips, “Here in California, the usual problem is how to budget our time, because we have so many parties.”

He added, “We go there to

ConGen Badajos at a community event in Los Angeles. ConGen Badajos makes a few remarks at a Filipino Women’s Network event in Southern California.

ConGen Badajos signing documents at his office in the Philippine Consulate General in LA.

The author with wife, Myrna E. Nino in the heart of downtown Florence. Photo by Denver E. Nino

Love and friendship

Pastor’s Notes

REVEREND

RODEL G. BALAGTAS

IT’S all about love! This is what we hear in today’s Scripture

Readings, particularly in the Second Reading (1 John 4:7-10) and the Gospel (John 15: 9-17).

“Love is of God,” and hence, “God is love.” As Jesus told us in last Sunday’s (April 28) Gospel and in this Sunday’s Gospel, we must “remain in his love.”

The love that God has for us, as Jesus taught, is like the love between true friends: mutual, genuine, honest, loyal, unconditional, patient, forgiving,  sacrificial, kind, joyous, and profound. It’s a kind of love that seeks time together, accepts the other for who he or she is, gives unwavering support, encourages the other to be their best self, is honest and trustworthy, and can always bring cheer or positivity. God, as our friend, has this kind of love for all of us.

Jesus desires this kind of friendship as we relate to him in

prayer every day. He wants us to bring to him every day what is in our hearts. He wants us to be honest and true to him, not fearful or distant, not having the preconceived idea that God is  somebody who is out there “to get me.” No, our Christian faith is not about a God who is there “to get us,” but “to give us.”

Friends, this is probably what’s in the minds of our young people that we need to get rid of. Indeed, they need to know and feel that God is someone who wants to give them his unconditional love and always desires the best for them. As simple as this is today, it’s a challenge to inculcate it in the minds of our young people as they have perceived and felt a punishing God. Let’s commit ourselves to promote this understanding about God. Let’s be friends of Jesus and remain this way forever. Amen.

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * Fr. Rodel “Odey” Balagtas is the pastor of Incarnation Church in Glendale, California.

The glory of Italy...

the first century A.D., Florence encountered all problems related to the propagation of Christianity replacing its pagan or mythological god, Mars to St. John the Baptist in the second half of the third century. Its first Christian martyr was Saint Miniano.

Located in the Tuscany region known as Italic settlement, it became a Roman town then became Florentia, a city-state during the Roman empire and under the Barbarian rule. Slowly, the growth of Florence in the 10th or 11th centuries dubbed as “general awakening” by the Italian people became autonomous around 1115.

Then the Renaissance period of cultural, political, economic and artistic rebirth of Europe emerged from 14th century to the 17th centuries. The renaissance began in Italy with the powerful Medici family very supportive of the Renaissance artists.

There were conflicts between papacy and the imperial troops, the aristocratic faction versus popular faction. Florence was also governed by internecine fighting among the feudal lords, nobles and the richest merchants and between Cardinal Albornoz against Pope Gregory XI known as Eight Saints War (13751378).

Italy was ruled by Byzantines, the French the HapsburgLorraine family of Austria up to 1860; the Byzantines, the Lombards, a Germanic Tribe and the Savoy Royal Family Dynasty from 1861 to 1946. Next stop, we’ll explore other great destinations of Pisa, Venice and Athens.

*

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of the Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

Barrister’s Corner

ATTY. KENNETH URSUA REYES

GENERALLY, in California, property acquired by a spouse prior to marriage is considered separate property under family code section 770 while those acquired after marriage are considered community assets under family code section 760. How do you characterize real property purchased prior to marriage but with the mortgage principal paid down using community income or funds during the marriage? The community in this situation acquires a pro tanto interest in the ratio that the payments on the purchase price made with community funds bear to the total payments on the purchase price and any appreciation should be apportioned accordingly.

Marriage of Moore (1980) 28 C3d 366, 371, 373, 168 CR 662, 664, 665. Other expenses associated with the property are not considered in the calculation such as mortgage interest, taxes, and insurance. In essence, the real property would accumulate both a separate property and a community property component by the date of separation. The appropriate remedy in this situation where separate property is subsequently paid

with community funds is “apportionment.”

The process of apportioning between the separate and community property component is laid out in the Marriage of Marsden. In that case, the court determined the ratio or percentage in which the mortgage loan principal was reduced during the marriage and applied that percentage to the appreciation of the real property during the marriage. The community property component would then consist of the reduction in the mortgage loan principal during the marriage plus the portion of appreciation during the marriage applying the ratio discussed above.

In the Marriage of Marsden the real property was purchased by the husband for $38,300 prior to the marriage. The original mortgage was $30,000. By the time the husband got married, the house was now worth $65,000 while the mortgage has gone down by $7,000. Both the appreciation of $26,700 and the mortgage reduction of $7,000 would be separate property since it occurred prior to marriage. Marriage of Marsden (1982) 130 CA3d 426, 181 CR 910

During the marriage until the time of trial, the property has appreciated another $117,500 (property now valued at $182,500) while the mortgage has further declined by $9,200 up to the date of separation. The ratio at which community funds paid down the mortgage

($9,200) during the marriage to the original purchase price ($38,300) amounts to 24.02%.

This percentage of the property appreciation during the marriage of $117,500 ($28,223.50) plus the reduction in mortgage balance during the marriage ($9,200) would constitute the community component of the real property. The rest was the husband’s separate property.

The husband in that case was awarded his separate property component of the real property plus one half of the community property component.

The Marsden apportionment method is also applicable to situations where a community real property is later transmuted into one spouse’s separate property through execution of a quit claim by the other spouse but is subsequently paid using community funds. Marriage of Broderick (1989) 209 CA3d 489, 257 CR 397. In litigation, the community interest in the situations mentioned about is proven through expert witness testimony typically by a forensic CPA.

Since California case law allows the creation of a community interest in real property acquired prior to marriage, one has to consider vehicles to protect themselves if you own property and you are contemplating of getting married. There are several ways of avoiding the creation of a community interest on your separate real property. One, you can sign a prenuptial agreement.

Two, the parties can

a postnuptial agreement if the parties are already

Three, the parties can execute a transmutation agreement with a

UNDERSTANDING Acne

Scars

Acne scars are very common. Some 80% of people between ages 11 and 30 will get acne, and one out of five of those will develop scars. This scar develops when a deep pimple or acne breakout clears. Although keep in mind that not every acne breakout causes a scar. However, even if those acne

scars can actually fade, they rarely go away completely on their own.

To better put things in perspective, let me begin by defining what and how acne develops: An acne lesion (or what we commonly call pimples) grow when bacteria, oils and dead skin fill up and inflame our pores. Sometimes clogged pores are small and result in “whiteheads or blackheads.” Sometimes these pores become inflamed and lead to other types of acne.

Having acne is the most common skin condition in the world. Take it from someone who knows a thing or two about acne. Teenagers get acne thanks to their changing hormones. Adults deal with stress, the environment, menstrual cycles, some skin products, birth control pills, and of course, hormones can still play a role. Given that our skin is the largest organ composed of three main layers, these layers are prone to acne — especially the

face, back and chest. Acne scars results from the inflammation of acne blemishes. Some acne blemishes are small and the scars are shallow and heal quickly, while some cause deeper scars. Also, acne scars take on two main forms: either a scar develops when there is a loss of tissue, resulting in an indentation in the surface of the skin; or, it develops and is raised on the surface of the skin.

with Imee

This charming man: Philippine Consul General...

get a sense of what is going on in our community. We go there to listen to you, to the Filipinos on the ground. We are there to listen so that we can convey your sentiments to our government back home. We can also adopt programs and services to make life even better for your relatives back home who are left and also to make your next visit to the Philippines even more enjoyable.”

“Just like what is happening in Los Angeles, we see that a lot of our fellow Filipinos (in New York) are organizing events and parties. They’re actually doing it for a higher purpose to target beneficiaries back home.”

ConGen’s childhood and college days

ConGen recounted his days in college as a chairman of the student council of UP Baguio at the height of the protests of the Marcos regime. He saw that the student body needed to be more active and more vocal about fighting for their rights and interests. He added that during his time, he was able to see a lot of projects completed at his campus.

He then said that at a young age, he knew that he cannot just be confined to where he was. He knew he was destined to do higher things, better things. He felt that he had the capacity, the talent to do so much more. He added, “There was an inner feeling that I was meant to do greater things. I had a gut feeling that I had a higher calling.”

ConGen affirmed, “I am living my dream far more than what I had anticipated for myself.”

Advise for college students

“You have to understand that the things that you will eventually need to survive in the real world, you will not learn in the four corners of the classroom. You have to open your mind. You need to widen your horizon. You have to participate in non-academic activities. Involve yourself in campus politics. It’s not enough to just go to school. It’s necessary for you to expose yourself to other experiences. Student organizing will prepare you for the challenges of the real world. It’s very different out there. You cannot just erase your mistakes in the outside world unlike in the classroom.”

ConGen’s favorite destination

He added that his favorite destination would still be Manila, “because that’s where you have your family. You can say that this is my own place. You could do whatever you want. Of course, within certain limits. And that is where you can claim that this is the place that made you what you are today. So you have to make it number one.”

He went on to say that his next favorite destination is Toronto, Canada. It has the feel of a big city and at the same time it has the feel of a small place. Solving traffic issues in Manila

“We have traffic here. During rush hours, the 101 feels like EDSA too. We don’t have a monopoly of this traffic problem. These things come along with modernization. That’s one of the prices we pay for economic development. We have to have more infrastructure. We need more mass transit. We need to expand our existing mass transit system. It matters a lot if the drivers have a lot of personal discipline observing traffic rules and regulations. That is what we sorely lack back home.”

ConGen’s home

ConGen considers Abra his hometown where he maintains a mini resort. He affirms, “it will always be where my heart will belong.” Looking forward to his

retirement, ConGen states that he will be commuting from Las Piñas where he has established residence, to his province of Abra and the provinces of Cavite and Quezon.

His advocacy He encourages kababayans to visit and to participate in medical and dental missions in depressed areas of Abra. He added that although there is a high level of economic development in the country, there are still pockets of people living below the poverty line in rural areas. Furthermore, he is appealing to fellow Filipinos to lend a helping hand to the province of Abra that is still recovering from an earthquake and several typhoons.

How to make the Philippines a better place to live

According to ConGen, there are a lot of Filipinos here in Los Angeles and Southern California who are sending help through fundraising events and remittances.

Fondest memories of his stay in Los Angeles His fondest memories of his tenure here in Southern California is the establishment of an honorary consulate in Las Vegas and having met a lot of friends from a very active, dynamic and involved community.

On representing the Philippines He says, “Although the consulate is the official designated representatives

Acne scars be...

Now before you loose hope of ever getting rid of your acne scars, keep in mind that just because you have acne, that doesn’t mean you’ll get scars. And if you do, the good news is that not all acne scars are permanent! Treatments are available.

“Now you see it.. now you don’t!”

Now YOU CAN experience the ultimate skincare treatment with the latest Microneedling RF technology that combines the benefits of monopolar radiofrequency (RF) with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to rejuvenate and refresh deep tissues. Microneedling can help break up scar tissue and stimulate the production of new collagen, improving the appearance of acne scars. A few short treatment sessions with ISKIN EXION RF Microneedling will cause these “unwanted marks” on your skin to even out and clear up, sometimes as if they were never there. With the ISKIN EXION Face applicator, you experience the benefits of using monopolar RF and focused ultrasound to create controlled thermal stress.

The treatment uses a specialized cooling system to keep the skin comfortable and protected during the procedure. This means that patients can enjoy the benefits of skin rejuvenation without the pain or downtime associated with other treatments.

of the country, actually each and every one of you is the representation of the country. You are actually our informal ambassadors of our country. The Filipino is a very economically productive, so hardworking, so talented, so God-fearing and so caring of their families. Therefore, you are making our lives easier at the consulate. One of our responsibilities is to promote greater understanding and awareness of Filipino culture. But because of the presence of the 1.3- to 1.4 million-strong Filipinos here, our job becomes easier not just in terms of promoting Filipino culture, but also in terms of promoting good political and economic relations with our host country.”

Advise for the next Consul General “Be very open and transparent and friendly, because the more you are, work at the consulate becomes more enjoyable.”

As the saying goes and as ConGen himself says, “This is not goodbye, but see you later.”

Thank you for your service to Filipinos and FilipinoAmericans in Southern California and Nevada.

* * *

The opinions, beliefs and viewpoints expressed by the author do not necessarily reflect the opinions, beliefs and viewpoints of Asian Journal, its management, editorial board and staff.

* * * micdiazpresents@gmail.com

Integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology with EXION’s advanced energy administration system has revolutionized skin rejuvenation procedures as it has eliminated the guesswork part of the treatment, and each procedure is orchestrated with unparalleled precision. With AI technology, the ISKIN EXION can analyze a patient’s skin type, thickness, and other unique characteristics to determine the optimal energy settings for treatment. This tailoring of energy delivery ensures that the treatment is more effective, safer, and more comfortable for the patient.

Aside from treating acne scars, this treatment also helps improve skin texture and tone, leaving you with smoother, more even-looking skin; reduce the appearance of sun damage, including dark spots and hyperpigmentation, and help improve stretch marks’ appearance by stimulating collagen production and promoting skin regeneration. ISKIN EXION can also stimulate collagen production, which can help reduce the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles.

As we always tell our clients at Iskin, “beauty and skincare is a lifestyle” hence, it is crucial to make sure you talk to a skin professional about your skin conditions and/or concerns –– which is where I and my team come in. We provide a customized treatment plan based on your needs and preferences. And we are proud to be one of the registered providers of this amazing “acne-scar-erasing treatment.” I invite you to come by our clinic and see if ISKIN EXION RF Microneedling is the answer to your dreams.

Give us a call, so we can get started in making your acne scars a thing of the past.

If you are in the LA area, feel free to swing by iSkin Beverly Hills. And if you happen to be in the Inland Empire and Orange County, we have MiSkin Spa for your self-love and self-pampering needs.

For more information you may visit iskinbeverlyhills.com.

Visit iSkin Med Spa and MiSkin MedSpa for a free consultation. iSkin is located at 8665 Wilshire Blvd. Penthouse Beverly Hills, 90211 or call 424-382-1002.

MiSkin MedSpa is located at 9227 Haven Ave. Suite 120 in Rancho Cucamonga, 91370 or call 909-9898464.

You may also follow us on social media: @iskinmedspa and @ miskinmedspa or watch her youtube channel that talks about how you can make “beauty a lifestyle,” on “Beauty Talk with Imee.” * * *

Known to several Filipino-American awarding circles, Imee has recently been awarded the “Premier in Beauty and  Skin Treatment.” for iSkin Face and Body Spa. She maintains a monthly beauty column on Asian Journal, and a  YouTube Channel, “Beauty Talk With Imee.”  Imee Ong-Maghanoy is an established aesthetician, a business owner and CEO of iSkin Beverly Hills, iSkin MedSpa  and MiSkin

Consul General Edgar Badajos Jr. (sixth from left) with some of the consular officials at the Philippine Consulate General in Los Angeles. Photos courtesy of Mic Diaz

‘Accidental’ singer turned OPM legend Jinky Vidal shares life

lesson for singers, non-singers

by Deni Rose M. AfiniDAD-BeRnARDo Philstar.com

JINKY Vidal, one of the original singers of iconic ‘90s band from Davao, Freestyle, is in the Philippines for her ongoing “Homecoming” bar tour.

At her tour’s recent stop in Hard Rock Cafe Manila, Jinky shared some pieces of advice for the next generation of singers, including her daughter.

“I didn’t plan this, ‘yung pagiging singer, it just came to me,” she told Philstar.com and select content creators.

“Actually, ang gusto ko mangyari sa buhay ko, maging newscaster... advertising...” laughed the Mass Communication graduate, adding, “You’ll never know what would come to you. It will be just a surprise.”

Whether for singing or for anything, Jinky assured one that everything would be all right if you follow your dreams.

“But you follow your heart, ‘yung talagang gusto mong gawin sa buhay mo — kung ano talaga

‘yung trip mo, ‘yung interes mo, you follow that, and one day, you’ll be surprised, may bagong doors na,” she affirmed.

Jinky will be back to perform in Hard Rock Cafe Manila on May 15 and 29 as part of the restaurantbar’s “I Love OPM Live!” May campaign, which aims to promote Filipino artists and music in time for National Heritage Month. g

Kristine Hermosa talks...

broadcast on the Saturday episode of “Eat Bulaga.” Kristine highlighted two characteristics of Vic and Oyo among their many similarities.

“Madami din e. Eto, mapursige very patient. Siyempre tao din tayo, may mga times na mauubusan ka rin

Pero ‘pag may ginusto sila, talagang magpu-pursige sila. Napakaalaga sa pamilya, napaka-mapagmahal. Laging nilalagay sa unahan ‘yung family talaga,” she said.

Kristine also talked about how ideal Oyo is because her husband has been supportive of her showbiz career.

The actress has been lying low in showbiz, and only appears in select projects. This is most certainly true these days as she is expecting their sixth child. She said she is due in September.

Kristine revealed that she experiences morning sickness, but it is not as exaggerated as before.

With her hands full, she is lucky to have Oyo by her side. She described her husband as “very hands-on” like her. It is one of the reasons why she is able to manage their family.

“Sabi nga nila pero ever since parang prini-pare na ni Lord ‘yung heart ko for a big family. ‘Yun naman ‘yung desire ko ever since talaga to have a big family,” she said. Will she and Oyo try for one more baby after she gives birth by end of September?

Sa totoo lang po, wala pong plinano sa lahat ng ito. Ang dami ko ng anak pero wala talagang plano ito. Talagang iba lang talaga trumabaho si God,” Kristine said. g

Yeng Constantino weighs in on the audience’s changing musical preferences

By JessicA Ann evAngelistA Inquirer.net

AS she released her new single “Babala,” Filipina singer Yeng Constantino discussed how she approaches her musical uniqueness and creativity amid the changing trends and preferences of the audience.

During the official launch of her newest single, “Babala,” on Thursday, May 2, Constantino acknowledged the changes in the musical preferences of the current generation and the need to go along with them, but she affirmed that she will remain true to her musical uniqueness.

“Siguro prinocess ko siya during the pandemic syempre ‘di mo maiiwasan to think about ‘Oh no paano ako makikisabay sa mga bago.’ You’re still part sa bagong generation, you still want to connect kung ano ‘yung gusto ng mga tao,” she began.

(I processed that during the pandemic, of course you can’t avoid thinking about ‘Oh no how can I keep up with the new trends.’ You’re still part of the new generation and you still want to connect with what the people want.)

“Siguro ang naging conclusion ko doon kung pipilitin ko just to conform sa kung ano ‘yung hilig ng mga tao ngayon ‘yung trends tapos hindi siya natural sakin parang pilit. I-trade ko ba yung form ko for that?

I’d rather just evolve naturally kung saan ako papunta kesa magconform ako kasi ito ‘yung gusto nila. I just want to be true to myself,” added the singer.

(Maybe my conclusion is that if I try to just conform to what people are interested in today, the trends, then it’s not natural to me, it’s like being forced. Should I trade my form for that? I’d rather just evolve naturally where I’m going than to conform because this is what they want.)

Despite being in the industry for 17 years, the “Ikaw” singer admitted that she also experienced days when she could not create music. That’s why it took her a while to release her new single.

“There are times na para tayong halaman. Minsan hindi talaga fruiting season and it’s okay kung hindi fruiting season. Parang nag-aabsorb ka ng nutrients, preparation ‘yon kasi magkakaroon ka ulit ng fruiting season,” she explained.

(There are times when we are like plants. Sometimes it’s not really the fruiting season and it’s okay if it’s not the fruiting season. It’s like you’re absorbing nutrients, that’s preparation because you’ll have a fruiting season again.)

“May time po talaga na parang wala. Walang lumalabas na kanta. Wala kang macreate. I’m so happy last year nagkaroon po ako ng creative flow so tuloy-tuloy po siya bukod sa ‘Babala’ ang dami ko po talagang

nasulat na kanta last year,” she continued.

(There is a time whrn it seems nothing is coming out. No song appears. You can’t create anything. I’m so happy that last year I had a creative flow, so apart from ‘Babala’ I wrote a lot of songs last year.)

Unlike her other hits, where it only took her one hour or two to write, Constantino shared that it took her two days to write “Babala,” and the song is her reminder to her fans to acknowledge and learn from their negative emotions.

“I was just having a bad day alam ko ‘yung mga fans ko kilala nila ako sa ‘Salamat,’ ‘Hawak Kamay,’ ‘Ikaw,’ parang inspirational very positive pero siguro part of my emotional growth is to process my negative emotions as well. Sa mga di nakakaalam four years na akong nagthe-therapy. And you’re not a bad person for having bad thoughts. ‘Yung bad energy isayaw niyo na lang,” she declared. g

Jinky Vidal Photo from Instagram/@jinkyvidal

Yeng Constantino in the behind-the-scenes shoot of her music video for her newest single, “Babala.” Photo from Instagram/@yeng

Kristine Hermosa with husband Oyo Boy Sotto Photo from Instagram/@khsotto